ONTHEFRINGE

ONTHEFRINGE is a series of four schools designed to train young astronomers in optical interferometry.
Optical interferometry is a new technology enabling observations with angular resolution an order of magnitude larger than the largest single telescopes available at visible and infrared wavelengths. Optical interferometry is the only technology allowing the systematic direct detection and characterization of Earthlike planets orbiting other stars. Therefore it plays a key role in ESAs long-range plan through the Darwin mission, and in NASA's Origins program via TPF-I. On the ground Europe has achieved leadership with the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). Interferometry from the ground will play a central role in:

• understanding the lifecycles of stars in the Milky Way,
• the discovery and characterization of planets orbiting stars in the solar neighborhood, and
• the understanding of the energy conversion mechanisms in Active Galactic Nuclei.

The goal of the schools is to train a new generation of astronomers in the use of the VLTI, building critical mass in this emergent field, applying it to astrophysical areas of European leadership, optimizing the scientific use of the VLTI investment, overcoming fragmentation and uneven distribution of knowledge in optical interferometry in the European research area, therefore increasing European competitiveness in the scientific ground and space program enabled by optical interferometry.

Next ONTHEFRINGE School: Summer 2008, in Hungary

 

http://www.vlti.org

 

Principal Investigator for this project is Paulo Garcia

A general introduction to the concept of the Marie Curie Program: see here

 

Last update of this page on 16-Jan-2008

Home	OPTICON	Network Activity	Joint Research Project	Marie-Curie Program
Mission	Activities	People and contact us	Agenda	Management (protected)