Interferometry from the Moon.
Abstract
The Moon, often considered as the ultimate site for large optical interferometers indeed has advantages compared to Earth orbits. Unlike orbital sites, however, lunar sites require delicate optical delay lines or movable telescopes to deal with a substrate which cannot be rotated as desired for pointing various objects. This, and the automated deployment, is achieved with robotic "walking telescopes" in the case of the lunar Optical Very Large Array concept. The ground-based OVLA, under construction, has a similar design which may provide valuable operating experience.
- Publication:
-
Targets for Space-Based Interferometry
- Pub Date:
- December 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992ESASP.354...51L
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Interferometry;
- Interferometers;
- Lunar Based Equipment;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Deployment;
- Design Analysis;
- Maintenance;
- Astronomy