LBTI - Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer

With the advent of large telescopes and progress with associated technology, planets around other stars are now detectable, both in principle and in reality. In order to further this search, Steward Observatory is undertaking the construction of the LBT Inteferometer (LBTI). The NASA-funded project will use the Large Binocular Telescope as a testbed to develop nulling and Fizeau interferometry for this purpose. Nulling interferometry is a technique which cancels the overwhelming glare from a star by interference of light. This allows the detection of nearby planets or dust disks which would otherwise be obscured by the much brighter star. The technique is being studied in preparation for NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder Misson. The project is currently completing its design phase. In addition to searching for extrasolar planets the instrument will provide for high resolution, wide-field imaging, allowing the LBT to create images with ten times the resolving power of the Hubble Space Telescope.