The U.C. Berkeley

Infrared Spatial Interferometer Array

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The ISI Array is a high resolution interferometer built by the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley, California and is used for studying the properties of stars and immediate stellar environments in the mid-infrared portion of the spectrum.

The ISI consists of three specially designed Pfund-type movable telescopes, each 1.65m in aperture.  By placing our three telescopes at varying distances apart from each other (ranging from 4m to 70m) and combining the starlight received from each one, we can obtain the same resolving power as a telescope as large as that separation in a perfect atmosphere.  This allows us to spatially resolve stars, which is otherwise impossible (for most stars) from the ground.

Please use the link buttons at the left to navigate through our web pages.  You'll find more detailed information on how the ISI works under the System Overview link.

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System overview PowerPoint presentation