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[38.15] The Antarctic Planet Interferometer

M. Swain (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), J. Lloyd (CalTech), W. Traub (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory), C. Walker (University of Arizona), A. Stark (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory), P. Lawson (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), J. Storey (University of New South Wales), V. Coude du Foresto (Observatory of Paris), E. Fossat (University of Nice), M. Ireland (University of Sydney), A. Burrows (University of Arizona), F. Vakili (University of Nice)

The Antarctic Planet Interferometer is a concept designed to detect and characterize extrasolar planets by exploiting the unique potential of the best accessible site on Earth for thermal infrared interferometry. High-precision interferometric techniques under development for extrasolar planet detection and characterization (differential phase, nulling and astrometry) all benefit substantially from the slow, low-altitude turbulence, low water vapor content, and low temperatures found on the Antarctic plateau. At the best of these locations, such as the Concordia base being developed at dome C, an interferometer with two-meter diameter class apertures has the potential to deliver unique science for a variety of topics, including extrasolar planets, active galactic nuclei, young stellar objects, and protoplanetary disks.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.