The unlikely rise of masking interferometry: leading the way with 19th century technology

TL;DR

Aperture Masking Interferometry, a 19th-century technique, has experienced a resurgence in optical astronomy, enabling high-precision imaging of faint objects near stars and demonstrating enduring relevance and potential for future advancements.

Contribution

This review highlights the historical development, current applications, and future prospects of aperture masking interferometry in optical astronomy.

Findings

Sets the standard for detecting faint companions near stars.

Demonstrates the technique's successful implementation at multiple large telescopes.

Discusses potential future improvements and applications.

Abstract

The exquisite precision delivered by interferometric techniques is rapidly being applied to more and more branches of optical astronomy. One particularly successful strategy to obtain structures at the scale of the diffraction limit is Aperture Masking Interferometry, which is presently experience a golden age with implementations at a host of large telescopes around the world. This startlingly durable technique, which turns 144 years old this year, presently sets the standard for the recovery of faint companions within a few resolution elements from the core of a stellar point spread function. This invited review will give a historical introduction and overview of the modern status of the technique, the science being delivered, and prospects for new advances and applications.