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- Title
HYPERTELESCOPES: POTENTIAL SCIENCE GAINS, CURRENT TESTING AND PROSPECTS IN SPACE.
- Authors
Labeyrie, A.
- Abstract
In the way of giant dilute telescopes, the hypertelescope is a many-aperture interferometer, which provides direct high resolution images with efficient light concentration. Pending future versions in space, a prototype terrestrial hypertelescope is under test in a high valley of the southern Alps. A moving focal gondola, suspended 101m above small static mirrors, is driven under computer control with millimeter accuracy. The coude focus at ground level has been qualified by observing a Vega image focused by one of the mirrors and transmitted through the gondola. Upgrades under way for multi-beam interference include full autoguiding, the installation of several cameras on the gondola and adaptive optics for cophasing. Science observing is expected to begin in a few years, and other potential sites are considered for a larger meta-aperture, in the kilometer range. Future space versions, utilizing a 10-1000km flotilla of small mirrors, are also considered and proposed to NASA and ESA, but require different technical developments.
- Subjects
TELESCOPES; EUROPEAN Space Agency; INTERFEROMETERS; HIGH resolution imaging; UNITED States. National Aeronautics &; Space Administration
- Publication
EAS Publications Series, 2016, Vol 78/79, p45
- ISSN
1633-4760
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1051/eas/1678004