The CHARA array adaptive optics program

Theo A. Ten Brummelaar, Judit Sturmann, Laszlo Sturmann, Matthew D. Anderson, Nils H. Turner, Michael J. Ireland, John D. Monnier, Denis Mourard, Stephen T. Ridgway, Douglas R. Gies, Jean Baptiste Le Bouquin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

The CHARA array is an optical/near infrared interferometer consisting of six 1-meter diameter telescopes, the longest baseline of which is 331 meters. With sub-millisecond angular resolution, the CHARA array is able to spatially resolve nearby stellar systems and reveal their detailed structures. To improve the sensitivity and scientific throughput, the CHARA array was funded by NSF-ATI in 2011 for an upgrade of adaptive optics (AO) systems to all six telescopes. This first grant covered Phase I of the adaptive optics system, which includes an on-telescope Wavefront Sensor (WFS) and non-common-path (NCP) error correction. Phase II of the program was funded by the NSF/MRI in 2016, and includes purchasing and installing the deformable mirrors at each telescope to complete the system. In this paper we will discuss both phases of the program, how the challenge of AO differs for interferometry, and the first results of the full system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdaptive Optics Systems VI
EditorsDirk Schmidt, Laura Schreiber, Laird M. Close
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781510619593
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventAdaptive Optics Systems VI 2018 - Austin, United States
Duration: Jun 10 2018Jun 15 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10703
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceAdaptive Optics Systems VI 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period6/10/186/15/18

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 SPIE.

Keywords

  • Ground based Interferometry Adaptive Optics Non-Common Path Small telescope AO

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