Topic: Interferometry
Speaker: Andrew Boden, Ph.D. Caltech Deputy Director for Caltech Optical Observatories
Join us for an interesting and relevant talk about astronomical interferometry. An interferometer is a device that expresses the interference of wavelike phenomena and measures properties with high precision, such as are found in astronomy by taking advantage of the “small” *e.g. 500nm – green) wavelength of light. He covers the science of stellar interferometry, including Michaelson and Mt. Wilson ( birthplace of stellar interferometry) and Palomar observatory. In addition he describes his use of the Palomar Testbed Interferometer taking the diameter of Betelgeuse.