Interferometers

Interferometers in astronomy are sophisticated instruments used to achieve high-resolution imaging of celestial objects by combining the light collected from multiple telescopes. This technique, known as interferometry, exploits the wave nature of light and measures the interference patterns created when light waves from different telescopes are combined. By analyzing these patterns, astronomers can infer details about the source's size, shape, and structure with much greater precision than what is possible with a single telescope. This method is employed in various forms, such as radio interferometers (e.g., the Very Large Array) and optical interferometers (e.g., the Very Large Telescope Interferometer), enabling detailed observations of phenomena like star surfaces, binary star systems, and distant galaxies. Interferometry can also be used to study the properties of exoplanets and the cosmic microwave background, providing insights that are critical for understanding the universe's formation and evolution.