May 17, 2018

Observational Interferometry at Lowell

LOCATION: Prescott Public Library, Founders’ Suites A and B
SPEAKER: Gerard van Belle, Lowell Observatory
COMMENTS: How does a telescope work? What is happening when light from a distant star or galaxy is captured by a reflecting or refracting telescope? Dr. van Belle will explore the manipulation of light that happens inside of modern optical equipment. Further leveraging that understanding to increase the sensitivity and resolution of next-generation telescopes will then be explored, including the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer and the DSSI speckle camera on Lowell’s Discovery Channel Telescope. An array of initial results from these advanced devices will also be presented, with a discussion of prospects for future discoveries.