Universe Today Podcast

[Interview] x1,000 Resolution of JWST But x1,000 Cheaper

Sep 4, 2024

Dr. Gerard van Belle, a leading expert in optical interferometry, discusses the astounding potential of using interferometers for enhanced astronomical observations. He explains why not all telescopes adopt this technology and explores innovative lunar missions like MoonLITE that aim to revolutionize how we observe distant celestial bodies. The conversation dives into detecting exoplanets and the visionary Big Fringe Telescope, highlighting the challenges and possibilities of pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

01:09:49

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Episode guests

Gerard van Belle

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Quick takeaways

Interferometers enhance image resolution by combining light from multiple telescopes, overcoming the limitations of traditional single-mirror designs.

Deploying interferometers on the Moon offers a stable environment, significantly improving observation clarity and mitigating atmospheric interference challenges.

Future advanced interferometric missions aim to measure exoplanet characteristics and deepen our understanding of stellar behavior and habitability potential.

Deep dives

Understanding Interferometers

An interferometer is an optical system designed to create high-resolution images by combining light from multiple telescopes separated by a given distance. This setup allows for the synthesis of a much larger effective telescope, significantly enhancing image resolution beyond the capacity of single telescopes. Notably, even well-known telescopes like Hubble and James Webb operate on interferometric principles by collecting light through a single mirror and aligning the light paths to achieve optimum focus. However, the precision required for alignment in optical interferometry is extraordinarily high, often in the nanometer range, underscoring the technical challenges involved in accurately collecting and analyzing astronomical data.

Intro

2min

Interferometry and Telescope Innovations

14min

Lunar Interferometry: The Next Frontier

23min

Exploring Exoplanets with ESA's CH Mission

4min

Moon-Based Telescopes: A New Frontier

22min

Exploring Humanity's Place in the Universe: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

3min

Reflections on the Future of Space Exploration

2min

Interferometers are a great tool for getting incredible resolution without building giant mirrors. Why don't all telescopes use it? What projects should we expect and what could we get from them? What are the challenges? Finding out in this interview!

🟣 Guest: Dr. Gerard van Belle
https://lowell.edu/people/gerard-van-belle/

📜 Big Fringe Telescope:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.01386

📜 MoonLITE: a CLPS-delivered NASA Astrophysics Pioneers lunar optical interferometer for sensitive, milliarcsecond observing
https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.01392

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