
Proceedings Paper
Extragalactic reference targets for PRIMAFormat | Member Price | Non-Member Price |
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Paper Abstract
The VLTI's PRIMA (Phase-Referenced Imaging and Microarcsecond Astrometry) instrument is designed to
provide tens of microarcseond astrometry and faint-object imaging for the interferometer facility. Astrometry is
to be enabled by PRIMA between object pairs that are separated on the sky by one isoplanatic patch (roughly 60
seconds of arc at Cerro Paranal in the K band), with at least one of the two objects being bright (K <10), and a
second fainter object (ΔK < 7) that is nominally a 'stable' astrometric reference. The original expectation was
for star-star pairs to be observed by PRIMA in its astrometric mode; however, we are exploring the possibility
of also utilizing background galaxies in this role. Advantages of such source selection is eliminating the need to
solve for dim object parallax and proper motion before obtaining similar values for the bright foreground star.
Additionally, data from the galaxy may be of scientific interest as well, potentially leading to characterizations
of object morphology at milliarcsecond scales. Towards that end, we have begun observations with ESO's
NTT to explore the suitability of qualifying star-galaxy asterisms as potential PRIMA targets. Commissioning
observations for PRIMA are slated to begin in Fall of 2008.
Paper Details
Date Published: 28 July 2008
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry, 70133W (28 July 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.789257
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7013:
Optical and Infrared Interferometry
Markus Schöller; William C. Danchi; Françoise Delplancke, Editor(s)
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7013, Optical and Infrared Interferometry, 70133W (28 July 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.789257
Show Author Affiliations
Gerard T. van Belle, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Roberto Abuter, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Judith Ngoumou, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Univ. München (Germany)
Roberto Abuter, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Judith Ngoumou, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Univ. München (Germany)
Francoise Delplancke, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Johannes Sahlmann, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Observatoire Astronomique de l'Univ. de Genève (Switzerland)
Johannes Sahlmann, European Southern Observatory (Germany)
Observatoire Astronomique de l'Univ. de Genève (Switzerland)
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7013:
Optical and Infrared Interferometry
Markus Schöller; William C. Danchi; Françoise Delplancke, Editor(s)
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