Deep sky observations with Dome C optical interferometers

T. Elhalkouj; R. G. Petrov; M. Lazrek; A. Ziad; Z. Benkhaldoun

doi:10.1117/12.671349

28 June 2006 Deep sky observations with Dome C optical interferometers

T. Elhalkouj, R. G. Petrov, M. Lazrek, A. Ziad, Z. Benkhaldoun

Proceedings Volume 6268, Advances in Stellar Interferometry; 626812 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671349
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

We discuss the specific potential of a long baseline optical interferometer at the Antarctica Dome C site for high limiting magnitude observations. First we compute the potential limiting magnitude for cophasing an interferometer with N diameter D apertures. Combining this with a computation of the isopistonic angle and of the density of stars, we evaluate that an interferometer with 1.5 m telescopes performing off axis fringe tracking will provide a minimum sky coverage of 50% in the direction of the galactic pole, while at Paranal, this could be achieved only if the individual apertures are 10 times larger. This is due to the fact that most of optical seeing at Dome C is produced in the first 30 meters above the ground. This makes the Dome C an unique site on earth to permit optical interferometers to reach high magnitudes and therefore contribute to extra galactic science and cosmology.

Citation Download Citation

T. Elhalkouj, R. G. Petrov, M. Lazrek, A. Ziad, and Z. Benkhaldoun "Deep sky observations with Dome C optical interferometers", Proc. SPIE 6268, Advances in Stellar Interferometry, 626812 (28 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671349

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