Award Abstract #0619965
Development of the Keck Interferometer with Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics for Microarcsecond Astrometry

NSF Org:	AST Division of Astronomical Sciences
Initial Amendment Date:	July 10, 2006
Latest Amendment Date:	October 15, 2008
Award Number:	0619965
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Jeffrey R. Pier AST Division of Astronomical Sciences MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Start Date:	July 15, 2006
Expires:	June 30, 2010 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$1958000
Investigator(s):	Peter Wizinowich peterw@keck.hawaii.edu (Principal Investigator) James Graham (Co-Principal Investigator) Julien Woillez (Co-Principal Investigator) Joshua Eisner (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	California Association for Research in Astronomy 65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy Kamuela, HI 96743 808/885-7887
NSF Program(s):	MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1207, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	1189

ABSTRACT

AST-0619965/Wizinowich, Hawaii

Two technical improvements will be made to the Keck Interferometer that will allow unprecedented astrometric observations of the galactic center. The first improvement is to allow fainter science objects to be observed with the Keck Interferometer by implementing a phase referencing mode that uses a bright nearby star to provide the piston correction. (The piston correction accounts for the difference in phase fluctuations that occur along the optical axes of the interferometer elements). The second improvement is to implement an astrometric capability with an accuracy of 30 microarcseconds. The significant new science capabilities of the Keck Interferometer will be available to a broad community of astronomers.

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