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L.C. Roberts, Jr. (Boeing)
Adaptive optics observations provide astrometry and photometry of binary stars. The technique allows for the observation of much higher dynamic range systems than in speckle interferometry. With this in mind, observations of binary stars with the AEOS adaptive optics system have been carried out since 2001. The study has included observations of understudied stars from the Washington Double Star catalog, observations of stars from the Sixth Catalog of Orbits of Visual Binary Stars that require measurements of differential magnitude, and stars that have some indication of an unseen companion. A summary of the observations of the last few years is presented along with highlights of interesting binaries and newly discovered companions. In addition I present an overview of the problems and pitfalls of observing binary stars with adaptive optics systems.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.