GRAVITY: the adaptive-optics-assisted two-object beam combiner instrument for the VLTI

S. Gillessen; G. Perrin; W. Brandner; C. Straubmeier; F. Eisenhauer; S. Rabien; A. Eckart; P. Lena; R. Genzel; T. Paumard; S. Hippler

doi:10.1117/12.671431

28 June 2006 GRAVITY: the adaptive-optics-assisted two-object beam combiner instrument for the VLTI

S. Gillessen, G. Perrin, W. Brandner, C. Straubmeier, F. Eisenhauer, S. Rabien, A. Eckart, P. Lena, R. Genzel, T. Paumard, S. Hippler

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6268, Advances in Stellar Interferometry; 626811 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671431
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

We present the adaptive optics assisted, near-infrared VLTI instrument - GRAVITY - for precision narrow-angle astrometry and interferometric phase referenced imaging of faint objects. Precision astrometry and phase-referenced interferometric imaging will realize the most advanced vision of optical/infrared interferometry with the VLT. Our most ambitious science goal is to study motions within a few times the event horizon size of the Galactic Center massive black hole and to test General Relativity in its strong field limit. We define the science reference cases for GRAVITY and derive the top level requirements for GRAVITY. The installation of the instrument at the VLTI is planned for 2012.

Citation Download Citation

S. Gillessen, G. Perrin, W. Brandner, C. Straubmeier, F. Eisenhauer, S. Rabien, A. Eckart, P. Lena, R. Genzel, T. Paumard, and S. Hippler "GRAVITY: the adaptive-optics-assisted two-object beam combiner instrument for the VLTI", Proc. SPIE 6268, Advances in Stellar Interferometry, 626811 (28 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671431

Access the abstract

PROCEEDINGS
9 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY