Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
Aug 1985
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1985newsc.107...33l&link_type=abstract
New Scientist (ISSN 0028-6664), vol. 107, Aug. 8, 1985, p. 33-36.
Physics
Optics
Interferometers, Mosaics, Optics, Reflecting Telescopes, Spaceborne Astronomy, Atmospheric Attenuation, Hubble Space Telescope, Lagrangian Equilibrium Points, Paraboloid Mirrors, Solar Sails
Scientific paper
Astronomers have developed interferometers which bring together the beams of light from several telescopes and make them interfere. Several mirrors properly aligned create a mirror mosaic. The area of mirrors is best utilized if the mirrors are spread apart producing diluted aperture. With the diluted aperture the same amount of light is gathered as by a compact mosaic, but the aperture is increased, resulting in improved angular resolution of the telescope and sharpness of image. Many ground-based interferometers exist, but like all telescopes they are severely affected by the earth's atmosphere. Research is being done on a compact aperture telescope in space. European groups are studying large optical arrays for space, a concept called TRIO. It will use solar sails to direct sunlight to move and stabilize satellites. The satellites should ideally be aligned and stabilized to an accuracy of about a micron over a distance of about 1 km. A Lagrange point, 300,000 km from the earth and moon, is the best location for the satellites. The space interferometer produces images 10,000 times sharper than previous telescopes.
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