Recent technical and scientific highlights from the CHARA Array

n/a, SPIE 6268, p. 119 (2006)

We present the visual orbit of the double-lined spectroscopic binary HD 224355 from interferometric observations with the CHARA Array, as well as an updated spectroscopic analysis using echelle spectra from the Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope. By combining the visual and spectroscopic orbital solutions, we find the binary components to have masses of M 1 = 1.626 ± 0.005M ⊙ and M 2 = 1.608 ± 0.005M ⊙, and a distance of d = 63.98 ± 0.26 pc. Using the distance and the component angular diameters found by fitting spectrophotometry from the literature to spectral energy distribution models, we estimate the stellar radii to be R 1 = 2.65 ± 0.21R ⊙ and R 2 = 2.47 ± 0.23R ⊙. We then compare these observed fundamental parameters to the predictions of stellar evolution models, finding that both components are evolved toward the end of the main sequence with an estimated age of 1.9 Gyr.

The CHARA Array is a six telescope optical/IR interferometer run by the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy of Georgia State University and is located at Mount Wilson Observatory just to the north of Los Angeles California. The CHARA Array has the largest operational baselines in the world and has been in regular use for scientific observations since 2004. In 2011 we received funding from the NSF to begin work on Adaptive Optics for our six telescopes. Phase I of this project, fully funded by the NSF grant, consists of designing and building wavefront sensors for each telescope that will also serve as tip/tilt detectors. Having tip/tilt at the telescopes, instead of in the laboratory, will add several magnitudes of sensitivity to this system. Phase I also includes a slow wavefront sensor in the laboratory to measure non-common path errors and small deformable mirrors in the laboratory to remove static and slowly changing aberrations. Phase II of the project will allow us to place high-speed deformable mirrors at the telescopes thereby enabling full closed loop operation. We are currently seeking funding for Phase II. This paper will describe the scientific rational and design of the system and give the current status of the project.

International audience

The CHARA Array has added a 7th telescope to extend the existing 6 telescope array. The CHARA Michelson Array Pathfinder (CMAP) includes a 1m Planewave RC Telescope mounted in a custom designed mobile trailer and pier system. The telescope and trailer can be placed at multiple locations around the Mount Wilson Observatory site; each site consisting of a flat concrete pad with a novel pier design. Optical fibers will connect each site to the CHARA optical delay and combiner lab. This enables new short baselines of ∼17m for imaging the surfaces of large stars and new long baselines on the order of ∼600m for resolving small stars. There are two sites developed at the array for this telescope. In the future, there are plans to expand the array to greater than 1 km maximum baselines. These baselines will be used in conjunction with the existing 15 baselines that range from 34 to 331m. Moving such a telescope around the observatory presents some unique challenges. The telescope can make use of the same optical delay lines and beam combiners as the other CHARA Array telescopes.

The study of the multiplicity of massive stars gives hints of their formation processes and their evolution path. Optical interferometry is mandatory to fulfill our knowledge of their multiplicity by probing the separation gap between 1 and 50 mas. We demonstrated the capability of the new interferometric instrument MIRC-X, located at the CHARA array, to study a large sample of more than 120 (H < 7.5) O-type stars. We observed 29 O-type star systems, including a couple of systems in average atmospheric conditions around a magnitude of H = 7.5. Out of these 29 systems, we detected 18 companions in 16 different systems, resulting in a multiplicity fraction f m = 16 / 29 = 0.55, and a companion fraction of f c = 18 / 29 = 0.62. We observed for the first time 11 of these detected companions. This study concludes that a large survey on more than 120 Northern O-type stars is possible with MIRC-X.

We present interferometric observations of the σ Orionis triple system using the CHARA Array, NPOI, and VLTI. Using these measurements, we spatially resolve the orbit of the close spectroscopic binary (Aa,Ab) for the first time and present a revised orbit for the wide pair (A,B). Combining the visual orbits with previously published radial velocity measurements and new radial velocities measured at CTIO, we derive dynamical masses for the three massive stars in the system of = 16.99 ± 0.20 , = 12.81 ± 0.18 , and = 11.5 ± 1.2 . The inner and outer orbits in the triple are not coplanar, with a relative inclination of –127 . The orbital parallax provides a precise distance of 387.5 ± 1.3 pc to the system. This is a significant improvement over previous estimates of the distance to the young σ Orionis cluster.

We intend to implement the ALOHA at 1.55[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m up-conversion interferometer on the CHARA Array. After a full laboratory investigation, a sensitivity evaluation is conducted on several stars using a single interferometric arm in a photometric mode. The on-sky photometric results allows us to calibrate a numerical simulation of the interferometric configuration, and to predict the future performance of ALOHA at 1.55[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m as a function of the seeing conditions.

We investigate physical properties of the nearby (∼ 7.5 pc) astrometric binary μ Cas in the context of standard evolutionary theory. Based on the spectroscopically determined relative abundances ([α/Fe] ≳ +0.4 dex, [Fe/H] ∼ −0.7 dex), all physical inputs such as opacities and equation of state are consistently generated. By combining recent spectroscopic analyses with the astrometric observations from the HIPPARCOS parallaxes and the CHARA array, the evolutionary model grids have been constructed. Through the statistical evaluation of the χ²-minimization among alternative models, we find a reliable evolutionary solution (M_A, M_B, t_age) = (0.74 M_⊙, 0.19 M_⊙, 11 Gyr) which excellently satisfies observational constraints. In particular, we find that the helium abundance of μ Cas is comparable with the primordial helium contents (Y_p ∼ 0.245). On the basis of the well-defined stellar parameters of the primary star, the internal structure and the p-mode frequencies have been estimated. From our seismic computation, μ Cas is expected to have a first order spacing ∆ν ∼ 169 μHz. The ultimate goal of this study is to describe physical processes inside a low-mass star through a complete modelling from the spectroscopic observation to the evolutionary computation.

With a possible angular resolution down to 0.1-0.2 millisecond of arc using the 330 m baselines and the access to the 600-900 nm spectral domain, the CHARA Array is ideally configured for focusing on precise and accurate fundamental parameters of stars. CHARA/SPICA (Stellar Parameters and Images with a Cophased Array) aims at performing a large survey of stars all over the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This survey will also study the effects of the different kinds of variability and surface structure on the reliability of the extracted fundamental parameters. New surface-brightness-colour relations will be extracted from this survey, for general purposes on distance determination and the characterization of faint stars. SPICA is made of a visible 6T fibered instrument and of a near-infrared fringe sensor. In this paper, we detail the science program and the main characteristics of SPICA-VIS. We present finally the initial performance obtained during the commissioning.

Context. Stellar evolution models are highly dependent on accurate mass estimates, especially for highly massive stars in the early stages of stellar evolution. The most direct method for obtaining model-independent stellar masses is derivation from the orbit of close binaries. Aims. Our aim was to derive the first astrometric plus radial velocity orbit solution for the single-lined spectroscopic binary star MWC 166 A, based on near-infrared interferometry over multiple epochs and ∼100 archival radial velocity measurements, and to derive fundamental stellar parameters from this orbit. A supplementary aim was to model the circumstellar activity in the system from K band spectral lines. Methods. The data used include interferometric observations from the VLTI instruments GRAVITY and PIONIER, as well as the MIRC-X instrument at the CHARA Array. We geometrically modelled the dust continuum to derive relative astrometry at 13 epochs, determine the orbital elements, and constrain individual stellar parameters at five different age estimates. We used the continuum models as a base to examine differential phases, visibilities, and closure phases over the Br γ and He I emission lines in order to characterise the nature of the circumstellar emission. Results. Our orbit solution suggests a period of P = 367.7 ± 0.1 d, approximately twice as long as found with previous radial velocity orbit fits. We derive a semi-major axis of 2.61 ± 0.04 au at d = 990 ± 50 pc, an eccentricity of 0.498 ± 0.001, and an orbital inclination of 53.6 ± 0.3°. This allowed the component masses to be constrained to M1 = 12.2 ± 2.2 M⊙ and M2 = 4.9 ± 0.5 M⊙. The line-emitting gas was found to be localised around the primary and is spatially resolved on scales of ∼11 stellar radii, where the spatial displacement between the line wings is consistent with a rotating disc. Conclusions. The large spatial extent and stable rotation axis orientation measured for the Br γ and He I line emission are inconsistent with an origin in magnetospheric accretion or boundary-layer accretion, but indicate an ionised inner gas disc around this Herbig Be star. We observe line variability that could be explained either with generic line variability in a Herbig star disc or V/R variations in a decretion disc scenario. We have also constrained the age of the system, with relative flux ratios suggesting an age of ∼(7 ± 2)×105 yr, consistent with the system being composed of a main-sequence primary and a secondary still contracting towards the main-sequence stage.

In the process of planning for the CHARA Array, the science/technical team devoted significant effort to exploring possible science objectives over a broad range of astronomical fields, from solar system bodies to extragalactic objects. In this analysis, we attempted to define a scientific figure of merit for each of the various science areas based upon the optimum wavelength regime, median magnitude of the object class, representative angular size, minimum required integration time, and structural complexity as it relates to requirements for imaging rather than visibility analysis. These quantities were incorporated into a feasibility estimate that was then combined with our estimate of scientific priority to define a figure of overall merit. This rather elaborate and admittedly subjective analysis clarified the role the CHARA Array will play in high resolution astronomical imaging. It also clearly demonstrated the unlikelihood that any single interferometric array will have the breadth of capability to cover the rich scientific opportunities that lay before us.

Planets are a natural byproduct of the stellar formation process, resulting from local aggregations of material within the disks surrounding young stars. Whereas signatures of gas-giant planets at large orbital separations have been observed and successfully modeled within protoplanetary disks, the formation pathways of planets within their host star’s future habitable zones remain poorly understood. Analyzing multiple nights of observations conducted over a short, 2 month span with the MIRC-X and PIONIER instruments at the CHARA Array and VLTI, respectively, we uncover a highly active environment at the inner-edge of the planet formation region in the disk of HD 163296. In particular, we localize and track the motion of a disk feature near the dust-sublimation radius with a pattern speed of less than half the local Keplerian velocity, providing a potential glimpse at the planet formation process in action within the inner astronomical unit. We emphasize that this result is at the edge of what is currently possible with available optical interferometric techniques and behooves confirmation with a temporally dense followup observing campaign.

The fibered beam combiner FLUOR, which has provided high accuracy visibility measurements on the IOTA interferometer, is being moved to the CHARA array which provides five 1m telescopes on baselines ranging from 35 to 330m. The combination CHARA/FLUOR makes it possible for the first time to achieve sub-milliarcsecond resolution in the K band, with a dynamic range of 100 or more. We explore the scientific potential of CHARA/FLUOR, most notably in the domains of high contrast binaries and the characterization of Cepheid pulsations, and present some of the anticipated developements.

To accurately characterize the planets a star may be hosting, stellar parameters must first be well determined. τ Ceti is a nearby solar analog and often a target for exoplanet searches. Uncertainties in the observed rotational velocities have made constraining τ Ceti’s inclination difficult. For planet candidates from radial velocity (RV) observations, this leads to substantial uncertainties in the planetary masses, as only the minimum mass () can be constrained with RV. In this paper, we used new long-baseline optical interferometric data from the CHARA Array with the MIRC-X beam combiner and extreme precision spectroscopic data from the Lowell Discovery Telescope with EXPRES to improve constraints on the stellar parameters of τ Ceti. Additional archival data were obtained from a Tennessee State University Automatic Photometric Telescope and the Mount Wilson Observatory HK project. These new and archival data sets led to improved stellar parameter determinations, including a limb-darkened angular diameter of 2.019 ± 0.012 mas and rotation period of 46 ± 4 days. By combining parameters from our data sets, we obtained an estimate for the stellar inclination of 7° ± 7°. This nearly pole-on orientation has implications for the previously reported exoplanets. An analysis of the system dynamics suggests that the planetary architecture described by Feng et al. may not retain long-term stability for low orbital inclinations. Additionally, the inclination of τ Ceti reveals a misalignment between the inclinations of the stellar rotation axis and the previously measured debris disk rotation axis (i disk = 35° ± 10°).