Interferometric observations: fringes from two stars of different angular size

Demonstrates in a schematic way, how the images of two stars of different angular size (left) will look like, with a single telescope (middle) and with an interferometer like the VLTI (right). Whereas there is little difference with one telescope, the fringe patterns at the interferometer are quite different. Conversely, the appearance of this pattern provides a measure of the star's angular diameter.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0111d
Type:Collage
Release date:18 March 2001
Related releases:eso0111
Size:2940 x 1728 px

About the Object

Name:Alphard, Sirius
Type:Milky Way : Star
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
296.6 KB
Screensize JPEG
57.9 KB