Accession Number:

ADA171135

Title:

Support of Mark III Optical Interferometer.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 16 May 85-15 May 86,

Corporate Author:

SMITHSONIAN ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY CAMBRIDGE MA

Personal Author(s):

• Shao, Michael

Report Date:

1986-07-01

Pagination or Media Count:

3.0

Abstract:

A great deal of progress was made during the course of the contract on the fabrication of the components needed for the Mark III interferometer. At present, all of the mechanical, optical, electronic, and software components that are necessary for initial fringe observations have been designed, fabricated, or written. During the months of June and July, we will be shipping this equipment to Mt. Wilson. During July and August, we will be assembling, testing, and integrating the components into the instrument. We expect the first light in September. The Mark III will be the first optical interferometric observatory in the U.S. and the first astrometric observatory to use a stellar interferometer.

Descriptors:

• *OPTICAL INTERFEROMETERS
• *ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS
• CONTROL SYSTEMS
• COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
• RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
• STARS

Subject Categories:

• Aircraft
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
• Optics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE