1. GRAVITY: Microarcsecond Astrometry and Deep Interferometric Imaging with the VLT
- Author
-
Daniel Meschke, K. Houairi, M. Thiel, D. Perret, Sebastian Rabien, Christian Straubmeier, Felix Hormuth, Rainer Lenzen, Stefan Hippler, Armin Boehm, Th. Henning, B. Talureau, Jean-Michel Reess, Pierre Kervella, C. Gueriau, J. Ziegleder, Wolfgang Brandner, Y. Clénet, Marcus Haug, Xavier Haubois, Frank Eisenhauer, M. Perger, B. Ruyet, Reiner Hofmann, G. Rousset, Ralf Klein, D. Ziegler, Katie Dodds-Eden, Reinhard Genzel, Jose Ramos, Vianak Naranjo, D. Rouan, M. Marteaud, Werner Laun, R.-R. Rohloff, Frédéric Cassaing, Andreas Eckart, P. Fédou, J. Kolmeder, S. Kellner, Udo Neumann, Eric Gendron, Guy Perrin, M. Schropp, T. Paumard, Pierre Léna, A. Graeter, Nico Hamaus, Stefan Gillessen, Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique (LESIA), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Pôle Astronomie du LESIA, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, and Ingénieurs, Techniciens et Administratifs
- Subjects
Wavefront ,Physics ,Gravity (chemistry) ,business.industry ,Galactic Center ,Astronomy ,Astronomy and Astrophysics ,Wavefront sensor ,Astrometry ,Metrology ,law.invention ,Telescope ,Optics ,Space and Planetary Science ,law ,Interferometric imaging ,business ,Adaptive optics ,[PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph] - Abstract
We present the adaptive optics assisted, near-infrared VLTI instrument GRAVITY for precision narrow-angle astrometry and interferometric phase referenced imaging of faint objects. With its two fibers per telescope beam, its internal wavefront sensors and fringe tracker, and a novel metrology concept, GRAVITY will not only push the sensitivity far beyond what is offered today, but will also advance the astrometric accuracy for UTs to 10 μas. GRAVITY is designed to work with four telescopes, thus providing phase referenced imaging and astrometry for 6 baselines simultaneously. Its unique capabilities and sensitivity will open a new window for the observation of a wide range of objects, and — amongst others — will allow the study of motion within a few times the event horizon size of the Galactic Center black hole.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF