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Imaging simulations of selected science with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer


Type

Conference Object

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Authors

Creech-Eakman, M 
Haniff, Christopher  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8726-5797
Elvis, M 

Abstract

We present simulated observations of surface features on Red Supergiant (RSG) stars and clumpy dust structures surrounding Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI). These represent two of the classes of astrophysical targets enumerated in the MROI Key Science Mission that are typical of the types of complex astrophysical phenomena that the MROI has been designed to image. The simulations are based on source structures derived from recent theoretical models and include both random and systematic noise on the measured Fourier data (visibility amplitudes and closure phases) consistent with our expectations for typical such targets observed with the MROI. Image reconstructions, obtained using the BSMEM imaging package, are presented for 4-, 6- and 8- telescope implementations of the array. Although a rudimentary imaging capability is demonstrated with only 4 telescopes, the detailed features of targets are only reliably determined when at least 6 telescopes are present. By the tine 8 telescope are used, the reconstructed images are sufficiently faithful to allow the discrimination between competing models, confirming the design goal of the MROI, i.e. to offer model-independent near-infrared imaging on sub-milliarcsecond scales.

Description

Keywords

Long-baseline interferometry, infrared imaging, high angular resolution, image reconstruction, AGN, supergiant stars, APERTURE SYNTHESIS ARRAY, RADIATIVE-TRANSFER, IMAGES

Journal Title

OPTICAL AND INFRARED INTERFEROMETRY II

Conference Name

SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation

Journal ISSN

0277-786X
1996-756X

Volume Title

Publisher

SPIE
Sponsorship
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/G002916/1)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/J00152X/1)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/K000225/1)