Modern methods in the astrometry of double stars

The techniques for studying double stars continue to evolve in a predictable way. The most recent major breakthroughs have been the area scanner and speckle interferometry. On the horizon looms the application of large format CCDs which will replace the photographic plate for many astrometric problems.Communication presented at the International Conference on Astrometric Binaries, held on 13–15 June, 1984, at the Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Germany, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784–1846).