Applications of Interferometry to Astronomy.

Abstract

view Abstract Citations References Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Applications of Interferometry to Astronomy. Saunders, James B. Abstract An interferometer for measuring the aberrations of telescope objectives of all sizes and types has been developed and tested. It is quite applicable to the testing of astronomical refractors and reflectors in situ, concave mirrors (spherical or aspherical), and camera objectives. To test an astronomical objective the eyepiece of the telescope is replaced with a modified Ko~ster's double image prism and the telescope is directed toward a bright star. Two symmetrically located pairs of coherent light beams emerge from the prism, one of which is received by a camera and the other by the operator's eye for maintaining adjustments of the interference fringes. The width of the fringes may have any chosen value and the contrast in the neighborhood of the zero- order fringe approaches infinity. Due to polarization effects in the prism, two quarter wave plates are used with it for obtaining best contrast in the fringe pattern. Other important applications of this interferometer are: (1) the measurement of the angular separation of binary stars, (2) the study of the turbidity of the atmosphere through which light travels to a telescope, and (3) the automatic control of telescope pointing, in combination with photoelectric cells. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: March 1960 DOI: 10.1086/108188 Bibcode: 1960AJ.....65...56S full text sources ADS |