Two-Color Interferometric Large-Angle Astrometric Observations.
Abstract
Navigation depends upon position measurements of reference points such as stars, and system performance can be limited by the accuracy of the reference star coordinates. Under this program a dual-beam two-color astrometric interferometer was modified to permit large-angle differential astrometric observations. Stars separated 10-15 deg were to be observed with day-to-day repeatability of < 0.1 arc sec, with a goal of 0.02 arc sec in declination. The initial system was installed at Mount Wilson in the fall of 1981 with a 3.4-meter N-S baseline and 5-cm light-collecting apertures. Initial tests revealed significant seismic noise at the site and refractive turbulence in the horizontal light beams. These and lesser problems are being solved, and successful operation in the spring of 1982 is anticipated. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 26, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA146891
Entities
People
- D. H. Staelin
- M. Shao
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology