Interferometer

Definition

An interferometer is an instrument that combines the signals from multiple telescopes to improve resolution and sensitivity. It allows astronomers to observe fine details in celestial objects by creating a larger effective aperture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Interferometers are essential in radio astronomy for achieving high angular resolution.
2. The Very Large Array (VLA) is one of the most famous radio interferometers.
3. Interferometry relies on the principle of superposing waves to measure differences in phase and amplitude.
4. They can be used to study phenomena like black holes, star formation, and the structure of galaxies.
5. Increasing the distance between individual telescopes in an interferometer array increases its resolution.

Review Questions

• What is the primary purpose of an interferometer in radio astronomy?
• How does increasing the distance between telescopes in an interferometer array affect its performance?
• Name one famous radio interferometer and describe its significance.

Related terms

Radio Telescope:

A device used to detect radio waves from astronomical sources.

Aperture Synthesis:

A technique used in interferometry to simulate a large telescope by combining data from multiple smaller ones.

Baseline:

The distance between two telescopes in an interferometer array, crucial for determining resolution.