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Two-color method for optical astrometry - Theory and preliminary measurements with the Mark III stellar interferometerThe two-color method for interferometric astrometry provides a means of reducing the error in a stellar position measurement attributable to atmospheric turbulence. The primary limitation of the method is shown to be turbulent water vapor fluctuations. Secondary atmospheric effects caused by diffraction from small refractive-index inhomogeneities and differential refraction for the observation of stars away from zenith are shown to introduce errors that behave as white noise and which should not be significant. Other potential error sources due to photon noise, systematic instrumental effects, and imperfect data reduction are also considered. The improvement in accuracy possible with the two-color method is estimated as a factor of 5-10 over the corresponding one-color measurement. Some preliminary two-color measurements with the Mark III stellar interferometer at Mt. Wilson are presented, which demonstrate a factor of about 5 reduction in the amplitude of the atmospheric fluctuations in a stellar position measurement.
Document ID
19880027208
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Colavita, M. Mark
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, MA, United States)
Shao, Michael
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, MA, United States)
Staelin, David H.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Applied Optics
Volume: 26
ISSN: 0003-6935
Subject Category
Optics
Accession Number
88A14435
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-79-19553
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7176
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-86-C-2114
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-86-C-2105
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-50
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-84-C-2082
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-85-C-2212
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-80-C-0348
CONTRACT_GRANT: N00014-84-C-2137
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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