Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 August 2016
Heterodyne spatial interferometry at a wavelength of 11 microns has been used to examine properties of circumstellar dust shells. Among the objects which have been observed are several M-type supergiants and Mira variables as well as several peculiar infrared stars. These measurements provide information on the temperature and spatial distribution of dust grains. Possible future developments in heterodyne interferometry include longer baselines for higher resolution and the use of larger telescopes for greater sensitivity.
This work is supported in part by NASA Grant NGL 05-003-272 and NSF Grant AST 77-12256