Fine guidance sensors aboard the Hubble Space Telescope: the scientific capabilities of these interferometers

Edmund P. Nelan; Olivia L. Lupie; Barbara McArthur; G. Fritz Benedict; Otto G. Franz; Larry H. Wasserman; Linda Abramowicz-Reed; Russell B. Makidon; Lauretta Nagel

doi:10.1117/12.317121

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24 July 1998 Fine guidance sensors aboard the Hubble Space Telescope: the scientific capabilities of these interferometers

Edmund P. Nelan, Olivia L. Lupie, Barbara McArthur, G. Fritz Benedict, Otto G. Franz, Larry H. Wasserman, Linda Abramowicz-Reed, Russell B. Makidon, Lauretta Nagel

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Proceedings Volume 3350, Astronomical Interferometry; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.317121
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

The fine guidance sensors (FGS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) are optical white light shearing interferometers that offer a unique capability to astronomers. The FGS's photometric dynamic range, fringe visibility, and fringe tracking ability allow the instrument to exploit the benefits of performing interferometry form a space-based platform. The FGSs routinely provide HST with 2 milli-seconds of arc pointing stability. The FGS designated as the Astronomer, FGS3, has also been used to (1) perform 2 mas relative astrometry over the central 4 arc minutes of its field of view, (2) determine the true relative orbits of close faint binary systems, (3) measure the angular diameter of a giant star, (4) search for extra-solar planets, (5) observe occultations of stars by solar system objects, as well as (6) photometrically monitor stellar flares on a low mas M dwarf. In this paper we discuss this unique instrument, its design, performance, and the areas of science for which it is the only device able to successfully observe objects of interest.

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Edmund P. Nelan, Olivia L. Lupie, Barbara McArthur, G. Fritz Benedict, Otto G. Franz, Larry H. Wasserman, Linda Abramowicz-Reed, Russell B. Makidon, and Lauretta Nagel "Fine guidance sensors aboard the Hubble Space Telescope: the scientific capabilities of these interferometers", Proc. SPIE 3350, Astronomical Interferometry, (24 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.317121

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