Imaging simulations of selected science with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Michelle Creech-Eakman; John Young; Christopher Haniff; David Buscher; Martin Elvis; Andrea Chiavassa; Marc Schartmann

doi:10.1117/12.858359

21 July 2010 Imaging simulations of selected science with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Michelle Creech-Eakman, John Young, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Martin Elvis, Andrea Chiavassa, Marc Schartmann

Proceedings Volume 7734, Optical and Infrared Interferometry II; 77343D (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858359
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present simulated observations of surface features on Red Supergiant (RSG) stars and clumpy dust structures surrounding Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI). These represent two of the classes of astrophysical targets enumerated in the MROI Key Science Mission that are typical of the types of complex astrophysical phenomena that the MROI has been designed to image. The simulations are based on source structures derived from recent theoretical models and include both random and systematic noise on the measured Fourier data (visibility amplitudes and closure phases) consistent with our expectations for typical such targets observed with the MROI. Image reconstructions, obtained using the BSMEM imaging package, are presented for 4-, 6- and 8- telescope implementations of the array. Although a rudimentary imaging capability is demonstrated with only 4 telescopes, the detailed features of targets are only reliably determined when at least 6 telescopes are present. By the tine 8 telescope are used, the reconstructed images are sufficiently faithful to allow the discrimination between competing models, confirming the design goal of the MROI, i.e. to offer model-independent near-infrared imaging on sub-milliarcsecond scales.

Citation Download Citation

Michelle Creech-Eakman, John Young, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Martin Elvis, Andrea Chiavassa, and Marc Schartmann "Imaging simulations of selected science with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer", Proc. SPIE 7734, Optical and Infrared Interferometry II, 77343D (21 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858359

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available