Speaker: Jason P. Aufdenberg

Michelson Postdoctoral Fellow
National Optical Astronomy Observatory
Tucson, Arizona USA


"Testing Stellar Atmospheres with
 Optical/Near-Infrared Interferometry"
                

Recently commissioned optical/near-infrared 
interferometers on the earth and those planned
for space will be key tools for astrophysicists
through the next decade and beyond. I will discuss
several recent projects in which I compare model
atmosphere calculations with interferometric 
observations of very bright stars like Procyon,
Psi Phe, and Deneb. We are able to test 
wavelength-dependent diameter, limb-darkening,
and (in the very near future) mass-loss rate 
predictions. I will provide a basic introduction
to current stellar long-baseline interferometers,
visibility measurements, and how these measurements 
are simulated.