Searching for nonsolar planets

Existing instruments are unable to detect planets about stars other than the Sun but such detection would be important for the theory of origin of our solar system and in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Infrared offers an advantage of about 10⁵ over visible light as regards the ratio of power received from star and planet. Infrared interferometry from Earth orbit would allow discrimination against the stellar infrared by the placement of an interference null on the star and a spinning infrared interferometer would modulate the planetary emission to permit extraction by synchronous detection from the background level. The limit to sensitivity will be set by thermal emission from the zodiacal light particles near the Earth's orbit unless the interferometer is launched out of the ecliptic or out to the orbit of Jupiter, in which case instrumental limitations will dominate. Technological developments in several fields will be required as also with astrometry, spectroscopic radial velocity measurement, and direct photography from orbit, three approaches with which infrared interferometry should be carefully compared.     

Research on the Application of Fast-steering Mirror in Stellar Interferometers

In stellar interferometers, the fast-steering mirror (FSM) is widely utilized to correct the wavefront tilt caused by the atmospheric turbulence and internal instrumental vibration, because of its high resolution and fast response frequency. In this study, the non-coplanar error between the FSM and the actuator deflection axis introduced by the manufacturing, assembly, and adjustment is analyzed systematically. Via a numerical method, the additional optical path difference (OPD) caused by the above factors is studied, and its effect on the fringe tracking accuracy of a stellar interferometer is also discussed. On the other hand, the starlight parallelism between the beams of two arms is one of the main factors for the loss of fringe visibility. By analyzing the influence of wavefront tilt caused by the atmospheric turbulence on fringe visibility, a simple and efficient real-time correction scheme of starlight parallelism is proposed based on a single array detector. The feasibility of this scheme is demonstrated by a laboratory experiment. The results show that after the correction of fast-steering mirror, the starlight parallelism meets preliminarily the requirement of a stellar interferometer on the wavefront tilt.     

Methods of detecting extrasolar planets: I. Imaging

It is proposed that the presence or absence of Jupiter-like planets, and perhaps even Venus-like planets, around nearby stars be studied with a 2-m telescope in Earth orbit. According to the Abbe theory of imaging, the coherence of the light from an unresolvable star can be used to discriminate between planet light and scattered light from the star. Most scattered light is shown to arise from the imperfect figure of the telescope surface, but an analog of a phase contrast trast microscope can be used to control the figure automatically. A number of arrangements are possible for using the interference properties of light to cancel the residual scattered starlight by two to three orders of magnitude without affecting the planet light.     

New challenges for adaptive optics: extremely large telescopes

The performance of an adaptive optics (AO) system on a 100-m diameter ground-based telescope working in the visible range of the spectrum is computed using an analytical approach. The target Strehl ratio of 60 per cent is achieved at 0.5 μm with a limiting magnitude of the AO guide source near R   magnitude~10, at the cost of an extremely low sky coverage. To alleviate this problem, the concept of tomographic wavefront sensing in a wider field of view using either natural guide stars (NGS) or laser guide stars (LGS) is investigated. These methods use three or four reference sources and up to three deformable mirrors, which increase up to 8-fold the corrected field size (up to 60 arcsec at 0.5 μm). Operation with multiple NGS is limited to the infrared (in the J band this approach yields a sky coverage of 50 per cent with a Strehl ratio of 0.2). The option of open-loop wavefront correction in the visible using several bright NGS is discussed. The LGS approach involves the use of a faint ( R ~22) NGS for low-order correction, which results in a sky coverage of 40 per cent at the Galactic poles in the visible.     

On the detection of other planetary systems: Detection of intrinsic thermal radiation

There is currently no unambiguous observational evidence for the existence of other planetary systems. One possible way to detect and study such systems is infrared observations of continuum blackbody radiation from planets revolving around other stars. It is shown that the effective temperature of large planets revolving around mid- to-late-spectral-type main-sequence stars is set by energy sources internal to the planet rather than by equilibrium with the radiation field of the central star, making them easier to detect than had been previously thought. Consideration is given to the two major observational constraints on detecting planetary companions to nearby stars, namely, angular resolution and sensitivity. A comparison is made between the performance of an ambient (T ～ 200°K), single-aperture telescope and a cooled interferometer. In each case the required aperture (baseline) is large (in the 10-m class), but consistent with Shuttle launch capability.     

High resolution remote sensing observations for missions to the Jovian system: Io as a case study

We present modeled images of Io at a variety of distances from the surface as a function of imager aperture size and wavelength. We consider the science objectives that could be achieved from missions engaged in long range remote-sensing of Io during the approach to the Jovian system and subsequently from orbit around Europa or Ganymede, in both the visible and near infrared wavelength ranges. We find that basic global mapping objectives in the visible can be met with a traditional 0.5 m telescope design. A more ambitious 1.5 m telescope could accomplish much more detailed objectives such as topographical measurements, and determination of flow patterns and thermal sources for individual active regions on Io.     

An array photometer for air-borne far infrared astronomy

We describe here a far-infrared photometer capable of detecting simultaneously in three bands in the region 20–120 microns, each band having an array of 3 or 4 photoconductive detectors. We present and discuss its laboratory performance and the results obtained on the planet Venus during an air-borne observational programme using a 32.5 cm telescope. We also present the atmospheric spectra obtained by a Michelson interferometer aboard the aircraft.     

Far-infrared photometry of planets: Saturn and Venus

We present far-infrared observations of Saturn and Venus made within four spectral bands (31 to 38, 47 to 67, 71 to 94, and 114 to 196 μm) using a 32-cm airborne telescope during May 1977. The set of brightness temperatures obtained from Saturn is analyzed on the basis of thermal models of the atmosphere of this planet. The best agreement is obtained with an effective temperature of about 95°K for the planet itself and a ring contribution corresponding to brightness temperatures ranging from 55 to 70°K. These values of the temperature of the ring system are smaller than the ones measured at shorter wavelengths and could be indicative of a decreasing emissivity of the rings in the far infrared.     

Measuring the sizes, shapes, surface features and rotations of Solar System objects with interferometry

We consider the application of interferometry to measuring the sizes and shapes of small bodies in the Solar System that cannot be spatially resolved by today’s single-dish telescopes. Assuming ellipsoidal shapes, we provide a formalism to derive the shape parameters from visibility measurements along three different baseline orientations. Our results indicate that interferometers can measure the size of an object to better than 15% uncertainty if the limb-darkening is unknown. Assuming a Minnaert scattering model, one can theoretically derive the limb-darkening parameters from simultaneous measurements of visibilities at several different projected baseline lengths to improve the size and shape determination to an accuracy of a few percent. The best size measurement can be reached when one axis of the object’s projected disk is aligned with one baseline orientation, and the measurement of cross-sectional area is independent of baseline orientation. We construct a 3-D shape model for the dwarf planet Haumea and use it to synthesize interferometric data sets. Using the Haumea model, we demonstrate that when photometric light curve, visibility light curve, and visibility phase center displacement are combined, the rotational period and sense of rotation can all be derived, and the rotational pole can be estimated. Because of its elongated shape and the dark red spot, the rotation of Haumea causes its optical photocenter to move in a loop on the sky. Our simulations show that this loop has an extend of about 80 μas without the dark red spot, and about 200 μas with it. Such movements are easily detectable by space-based astrometric interferometer designed e.g. for planet detection. As an example, we consider the possible contributions to the study of small bodies in the Solar System by the Space Interferometry Mission. We show that such a mission could make substantial contributions in characterizing the fundamental physical properties of the brightest Kuiper Belt Objects and Centaurs as well as a large number of main belt asteroids. We compile a list of Kuiper Belt Objects and Centaurs that are potentially scientifically interesting and observable by such missions.     

Differential Radial Velocity Spectrometer for extrasolar planetary studies

The large stellar/planetary flux ratio (>10⁶) and small angular separation (0.1 arcsec when observed from 10 parsecs) make it difficult to study Earthlike extrasolar planets. Hybrid coronographs with apodized masks and nulling by Earth based interferometric techniques could reduce the flux ratio by 3 orders of magnitude. Further reduction of starlight is possible with frequency filters. Due to large (upto 30 km/s) differences in radial velocities the specific spectral line for a particular molecule will be Doppler shifted by different amounts depending on from where, the star or the planet, the emission originates. The stellar spectrum itself could be used as a dynamic reference to determine the differential Doppler shift and define the frequency search space for the sought after planetary spectral line. The Differential Radial Velocity Spectrometer (DRVS) could use a heterodyne receiver with steep skirted filters and a laser local oscillator tracking the stellar spectrum. Several planetary spectral line windows should be searched and correlation/code gain techniques used to enhance detection capabilities.     

A metric and optimization scheme for microlens planet searches

OGLE III and MOA-II are discovering 600–1000 Galactic bulge microlens events each year. This stretches the resources available for intensive follow-up monitoring of the light curves in search of anomalies caused by planets near the lens stars. We advocate optimizing microlens planet searches by using an automatic prioritization algorithm based on the planet detection zone area probed by each new data point. This optimization scheme takes account of the telescope and detector characteristics, observing overheads, sky conditions and the time available for observing on each night. The predicted brightness and magnification of each microlens target are estimated by fitting to available data points. The optimization scheme then yields a decision on which targets to observe and which to skip, and a recommended exposure time for each target, designed to maximize the planet detection capability of the observations. The optimal strategy maximizes detection of planet anomalies, and this must be coupled with rapid data reduction to trigger continuous follow-up of anomalies that are thereby found. A web interface makes the scheme available for use by human or robotic observers at any telescope. We also outline a possible self-organizing scheme that may be suitable for coordination of microlens observations by a heterogeneous telescope network.     

A z-invariant Rayleigh beacon wavefront sensor

An innovative concept of wavefront sensing for Rayleigh beacons is introduced along with an example of a possible wavefront sensor. This new approach does not require the gating technique to limit the useful range of the laser source and therefore looks simpler to implement than previous Rayleigh concepts, and may additionally allow more efficient use of the photons emitted by the Rayleigh beacon. Our technique is based upon an optical element in the focal plane area whose section does not change for the conjugation of different ranges from the telescope aperture, hence the name z -invariant. The wavefront sensor shown here is an example of this new class. It is a compact pupil-plane wavefront sensor and as such allows for a layer-oriented configuration. It is shown that its sensitivity, while higher than usual gating approaches, is far from the possible limits leading us to speculate that other z -invariant wavefront sensors can reach much larger efficiencies.     

Spatial interferometry in the mid-infrared region

The potential of high-resolution spatial interferometry for detailed mapping and precision astrometry in the mid-infrared region, somewhat analogous to interferometry now done in the microwave region, is discussed from an instrumental point of view. Some results from a prototype system and from tests of atmospheric properties are given. The design of a more advanced two-telescope system now under construction is outlined. This involves movable telescopes of 1.65 m aperture and of high precision, using heterodyne detection of infrared in the 10 Μm atmospheric window.     

The planet formation imager

The Planet Formation Imager (PFI, www.planetformationimager.org) is a next-generation infrared interferometer array with the primary goal of imaging the active phases of planet formation in nearby star forming regions. PFI will be sensitive to warm dust emission using mid-infrared capabilities made possible by precise fringe tracking in the near-infrared. An L/M band combiner will be especially sensitive to thermal emission from young exoplanets (and their disks) with a high spectral resolution mode to probe the kinematics of CO and H₂O gas. In this paper, we give an overview of the main science goals of PFI, define a baseline PFI architecture that can achieve those goals, point at remaining technical challenges, and suggest activities today that will help make the Planet Formation Imager facility a reality.     

Results from Nobeyama Radio Observatory (NRO) —A progress report

The title telescope — in operation since 1982 — gives a surface accuracy of better than 0.2 mm (r.m.s.), with an aperture efficiency of about 25% at 115 GHz. A 5-element interferometer is at final adjustment stage. Observations of proto-stellar objects, extragalactic objects, and spectral lines are briefly described.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Indirect planet detection with ground-based long-baseline interferometry

Narrow-angle astrometry with long-baseline infrared interferometers can provide extremely high accuracies as required for indirect planet detection. Narrow-angle astrometric interferometry exploits the properties of atmospheric turbulence over fields smaller than the interferometer baseline divided by the atmospheric scale height. For such fields, accuracy is linear with star separation, and nearly inversely proportional to baseline length. To exploit these properties, the interferometer observes a relatively bright (< 13 magk) target in the near infrared at 2.2m, and uses phase referencing to find a reference star within the 2.2-m isoplanatic patch. With this technique faint references can be found for most targets. With baselines > 100 m, which also minimize photon-noise errors, and with careful control of systematic errors by using laser metrology, accuracies of tens of microarcseconds/hour should be possible.Paper presented at the Conference onPlanetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

基于四棱锥传感器的波前检测仿真设计

波前检测是天文望远镜自适应光学中的重要环节。四棱锥作为一种新型的波前检测元件,与其他传统的波前传感器相比,具有较高的灵敏度。特别是对于光干涉或拼接镜面望远镜而言,四棱锥波前传感器能够被用来检测子望远镜或子镜面之间的相对光程差,从而为干涉(或共相)的实现提供有效的检测信号。在分析四棱锥波前检测原理的基础上,阐述了单孔径条件下波前倾斜检测及双孔径干涉条件下相对光程差检测的软件仿真设计和阶段性成果,并简述了下一阶段的研究计划。     

基于遗传算法的相位差法波前检测piston误差

光学综合孔径望远镜常常因为子望远镜间的失调大于1λ产生相位差,影响望远镜的分辨能力。基于相位差法的检测技术,可以检测出子望远镜间的微小失调误差。提出了相位差波前检测方法与遗传算法相结合,设计了一个相位差波前传感器,进行综合孔径望远系统的piston误差检测。在计算机模拟成像系统的基础上,仿真结果证明,基于遗传算法的相位差波前检测方法可以较准确地恢复波前相位,检测piston误差。     

The PRIMA facility phase-referenced imaging and micro-arcsecond astrometry

This article describes dual-field interferometry, in particular PRIMA, the phase-referenced imaging and micro-arcsecond astrometry facility of the very large telescope interferometer. It uses the simultaneous detection of fringes of two stars in a narrow angle and the accurate measurement of their respective positions. PRIMA aim is threefold: (i) to increase the VLTI limiting magnitude with off-axis fringe tracking, (ii) to reconstruct images with a resolution of 2 mas in K-band, 10 mas in N-band, and (iii) to perform differential narrow-angle astrometry with an accuracy of 10 μas. This article exposes the fundamental and technical limitations of such a technique and presents how PRIMA will try to solve the practical problems of measuring 100-m long optical paths with nanometric accuracy in a ground based interferometer.     

The GraF instrument for Imaging Spectroscopy with the Adaptive Optics

The GraF instrument using a Fabry-Perot interferometer cross-dispersed with a grating was one of the first integral-field and long-slit spectrographs built for and used with an adaptive optics system. We describe its concept, design, optimal observational procedures and the measured performances. The instrument was used in 1997–2001 at the ESO3.6 m telescope equipped with ADONIS adaptive optics and SHARPII+camera. The operating spectral range was 1.2–2.5 μm. We used the spectral resolution from 500 to 10 000 combined with the angular resolution of 0.1″–0.2″. The quality of GraF data is illustrated by the integral field spectroscopy of the complex0.9″ × 0.9″ central region of η Car in the1.7 μm spectral range at the limit of spectral and angular resolutions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.