The VLT Interferometer - ESO

FOREWORD
In November 1988 I proposed to ESO's Scientific-Technical Committee and in
December to the ESO Council the formation of an Interferometry Panel (IFP)
with the following assignment:
The Panel will:
1. develop a plan for the implementation of the adaptive optics interferometric
capabilities of the VLT. This plan will define both the optical and
mechanical configurations, the data recording and analysis demands, a
schedule, and a budget profile needed to accomplish this task;
2. call on the expertise in the community (both scientific and engineering)
to aid itself in the accomplishment of these tasks in the form of ad-hoc
working groups, workshops, "tiger teams", consulting and engineering
contracts, and other means;
3. when required, aid ESO in the execution of the design and construction
contracts of the components of the VLT adaptive optics and interferometric
mode;
4. develop a plan for the operation of the VLT interferometric and adaptive
optics mode;
5. advise ESO on the merits of the different sites being considered for the
VLT from the point of view of the interferometric imaging mode;
6. encourage the funding and construction of the additional auxiliary telescopes
through other channels, in addition to the two which are part of
the VLT proposal.
The Panel has the following composition:
J.M. Beckers (chairman)
R. Braun
G.P. di Benedetto
R. Foy
R. Genzel
L. Koechlin
F. Merkle
G. Weigelt
ESO
NFRA, Dwingeloo (NL)
IFC, Milano (I)
Obs. de Paris, Meudon (F)
MPlfEP, Garching (D)
OCA-Calern, Caussols (F)
ESO
MPfRA, Bonn (D)