Introduction:

Activities

• WP 1: VLTI data reduction training courses
• WP 2: Thematic astrophysical schools
• WP 3: Optical Long Baseline Interferometry (OLBIN) textbook

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WP 1: VLTI data reduction training courses

These hands-on schools will form proficient users of the European ground based facility VLTI.

Event topics:

1. General lectures:
   1. Introduction to interferometry;
   2. The VLTI and its instruments;
   3. Preparation of observations;
   4. Theory of interferometric data processing;
   5. Data reduction of MIDI and AMBER data;
   6. Image reconstruction from visibilities and closure phases;
2. Model fitting Tutorials:
   1. How to prepare an observation in interferometry;
   2. How to prepare an observation with MIDI and AMBER;
   3. The search for calibrator stars – principles & tools;
   4. Data reduction software of MIDI and AMBER (V2);
   5. Data reduction software of AMBER (closure and differential phase);
   6. Model fitting; Image reconstruction with VLTI.
3. Seminars:
   1. Stellar diameters measurements;
   2. Mira stars and supergiants;
   3. The shape of stars;
   4. Young Stellar Objects;
   5. Active Galactic Nuclei with Keck and VLTI;
   6. Molecules around late-type stars;
   7. Dust around late-type stars;
   8. Exoplanets;
   9. Faint objects with PRIMA.

WP 2: Thematic astrophysical schools

These schools will address key astrophysical challenges where optical interferometry is expected to play an important role. Their goal is to complement the data reduction schools by placing optical interferometry in perspective together with other techniques. Synergies between several high angular resolution techniques and facilities (VLTI, VLT, adaptive optics, radio interferometry at mm/cm VLBI/ALMA, HST) with optical interferometry will be addressed within outstanding thematic questions of astrophysics.

Circumstellar disks and planets:

1. Current and future ground & space instrumentation (VLT, VLTI, Spitzer, Hershel, ALMA, VLBI);
2. High angular resolution techniques: atmospheric turbulence, adaptive optics, interferometry (optical, thermal, mm and radio); optical synthesis imaging, nulling, astrometry;
3. Observations of disks: mm (interferometry) dust & gas observations; optical/IR imaging/AO/polarization; mid-infrared and optical interferometry; spectroscopy, veiling, X-rays;
4. Dynamical disk theory: disk hydro and magneto-hydrodynamics, including massive supercomputing simulations; instabilities; disk-jets interaction, star-disk interaction (magnetospheres, stellar breaking, and jets);
5. SED models, radiative transfer models (monte-carlo, analytical), coupling radiative transfer codes with hydro-codes, benchmarking;
6. Disk chemistry and grain formation;
7. Disk evolution, frequency and lifetimes. Disks across the HR diagram;
8. Planetesimal growth; disk dispersal, mineralogy, zodiacal light;
9. Planetary formation (architectures, theory);
10. Overview of extra-solar planet observations; disk/planet interactions, migration; parent star properties.

Active Galactic Nuclei at the highest angular resolutions: Theory and Observations (AO/HST/VLTI/ALMA)

1. Introduction to Interferometry;
2. The VLT Interferometer:
   1. the system;
   2. AMBER;
   3. MIDI;
   4. PRIMA;
3. ALMA:
   1. the system;
   2. instrumentation;
4. Adaptive optics:
   1. concepts;
   2. current and future instrumentation;
5. Introduction to AGNs:
   1. observed types of AGNs;
   2. the unified model;
   3. luminosity functions and cosmological evolution;
6. The Central Black Hole:
   1. detecting and measuring BH masses;
   2. relation with host galaxy;
   3. BH demography and AGN activity;
   4. prospects with AO,
   5. VLTI and ALMA;
7. The accretion disk:
   1. AGN Spectral Energy Distribution;
   2. emission mechanisms;
   3. theory of accretion disks;
   4. jet formation and launch models
8. The Broad Line Region:
   1. observations;
   2. ionization models;
   3. elemental abundances;
   4. BLR structure from reverberation mapping;
   5. prospects with VLTI;
9. The obscuring torus:
   1. observations;
   2. physical models;
   3. radiative transfer models;
   4. prospects with VLTI,
   5. AO and ALMA;
10. The narrow line region:
    1. observations;
    2. ionization models (photo- vs shock- ionization);
    3. prospects with VLTI,
    4. AO and ALMA;
11. Circumnuclear star formation:
    1. observations;
    2. the starburst-AGN connection from 0 to high redshift;
    3. AGN host galaxies;
    4. Ultraluminous IRAS galaxies;
    5. elemental abundances as tracers of star formation;
    6. stellar population
       synthesis models;
    7. prospects with VLTI,
    8. AO and ALMA

WP 3: Optical Long Baseline Interferometry (OLBIN) textbook

Currently there is no standard text on OLBIN that could be used in advanced undergraduate or graduate studies.
Many scientists entering the field are faced with review articles and proceedings most of which lack the coordination,
level of detail and coverage of a good. We plan to use the editions of the school series to produce a top-level textbook to
fill this gap, the volume will be coordinated by Chris Haniff (UK). There will be yearly releases of book chapters at the
OnTheFringe web site and during the schools.

Book overview:

1. Historical introduction.
2. Fundamental concepts.
3. Interferometric measurements.
4. Sensitivity.
5. Atmospheric effects.
6. Calibration.
7. Synthesis imaging.
8. Astrometry.
9. Nulling interferometry.
10. Design of arrays.
11. Instrumentation.
12. Astrophysics results.

 

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Last update of this page on 16-Feb-2007