Current time at conference location: 3:49 pm CT
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 | 10:00 AM CT - 11:30 AM CT
Session ID
316
Session Title
Optical Long Baseline Interferometry: Your Next Essential Research Tool
Session Type
Special Session
Room
215
Session Chair
Douglas Gies
Summary
Optical interferometry is becoming a key component in studies of stars and their environments. We can now routinely make images of stellar surfaces with long baseline interferometers like the CHARA Array, a six-telescope facility with the longest operating baselines in the world for optical and near-infrared investigations at milliarcsecond angular scales. The CHARA Array offers observing time to the community through proposals to NOIRLab, and this session will highlight the diversity of research accomplished in the guest investigator program. The results span stellar fundamental properties, binary and multiple stars, and the changing circumstellar environments of young and old stars. The session will honor Stephen Ridgway of NSF’s NOIRLab, a pioneer and long-time proponent of optical interferometry. His work was central to the development, construction, and operation of the CHARA Array. The rich selection of scientific results at this special session will make a fitting celebration of Dr. Ridgway’s 80th birthday on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 (during the AAS meeting).

Presentations