Ingenhütt C, Silva Batista P, Anton G, Mitchell A, Vogel N, Zink A, Zmija A, Funk S (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Book Volume: 12
Article Number: 015001
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1117/1.JATIS.12.1.015001
In recent years, intensity interferometry has seen renewed interest and successful application at imaging atmospheric cherenkov telescope arrays such as the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.), Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes (MAGIC), and Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS). These measurements are usually performed during bright moon periods, whereas the instruments’ primary purpose—gamma-ray observations—cannot be fulfilled. The mobile intensity interferometer for stellar observations was designed as a proof of concept for a purpose-built intensity interferometer. Using acrylic Fresnel lenses 1 m in diameter with a 1.2 m focal length, a compact, economical, and lightweight design was realized. The detector fixture allows for translation in the z-axis to adjust for measurements at different wavelengths (and therefore focal points) and easy swapping of the detector in its entirety. Both mobility and scalability in quantity of this design allow for specific targeting of projected baselines and orientations based on the target. Particularly for potential binary systems, selective coverage of a target’s u–v plane is essential to probing the characteristics accurately. A first campaign demonstrated the capability of these Fresnel lens telescopes by measuring the spatial coherence curve of Arcturus (α Boo). In an observation time of less than 11 h, the angular diameter was measured with milliarcsecond precision, in agreement with the values in the literature.
APA:
Ingenhütt, C., Silva Batista, P., Anton, G., Mitchell, A., Vogel, N., Zink, A.,... Funk, S. (2026). Mobile intensity interferometer for stellar observations. Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.12.1.015001
MLA:
Ingenhütt, Christopher, et al. "Mobile intensity interferometer for stellar observations." Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems 12.1 (2026).
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