Study of the scientific potential of a three 40 cm Telescopes Interferometer at Dome C

• Main Authors: Valat, B, Schmider, F X, López, B, Petrov, R, Vannier, M, Millour, F, Vakili, F
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Astrophysics and Astronomy; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://cds.cern.ch/record/963654

Recent site testing (see: http://www-luan.unice.fr/Concordiastro/indexantartic.html) has shown that Dome C in Antarctica might have a high potential for stellar interferometry if some solutions related to the surface atmospheric layer are found. A demonstrator interferometer could be envisioned in order to fully qualify the site and prepare the future development of a large array. We analyse the performances of a prototype interferometer for Dome C made with 3 telescopes of 40 cm diameter. It assumes classical Michelson recombination. The most recent atmospheric and environmental conditions measured at Dome C are considered (see K. Agabi "First whole atmosphere night-time seeing measurements at Dome C, Antarctica"). We also study the possible science reachable with such a demonstrator. Especially we evaluate that even such small aperture interferometer could allow the detection and low resolution spectroscopy of the most favourable pegaside planets.