Stellar Intensity Interferometry at the StarBase Observatory

POSTER

Abstract

Stellar intensity interferometry (SII), combined with modern digital electronics, can be used to perform high angular resolution measurements of hot stars at optical wavelengths. Such measurements can be made using Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACT), which are built for the purpose of gamma-ray astronomy. Over the Spring of 2018, a series of observations conducted at StarBase Observatory, located in Grantsville, UT, have shown the feasibility of SII on telescopes similar in design to IACTs. In this poster, I will cover our observation methodology, including the tracking of stars, polarization modulation, and difficulties associated with making accurate correlation measurements. These observations resulted in a marginal detection of the spatial coherence associated with the target sources.

*This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. AST 1806262.

Presenters

  • Orville Oliver Clarke III

    • University of Utah

Authors

  • Orville Oliver Clarke III

    • University of Utah
  • Nolan Matthews

    • University of Utah
  • David B Kieda

    • Univ of Utah
    • University of Utah