La Palma Interferometer Workshop 2025
Following the first meeting of the La Palma Interferometer project (LPI) which took place last November in the Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (Cádiz), from April 7th to 9th, 2025 La Palma hosted the second Workshop dedicated to this important project.
The LPI group visiting the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo
Classically Interferometry technique combines signals from multiple antennas or telescopes, reaching sensitivities, and resolution impossible to obtain when we use a single telescope. The LPI project, propose a new approach which aims to combine light coming from several optical telescopes at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (between them, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo) using the technique of intensity interferometry. This method allows to study correlations between photons in the visible spectrum thanks to extremely sensitive devices for detecting light named SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode).
In its first phase, the project plans to conduct observations with the 3.6-meter Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG). The TNG will contribute to the development of a cryogenic dewar and the characterization of the SPAD-based sensor. This instrument will be temporarily installed as a guest instrument at the Nasmyth B focus of the telescope. In the second phase, a clone of the dewar will be added to the 2.5-meter Nordic Optical Telescope to begin intensity interferometry tests. Additionally, to further expand the network of telescopes in a later phase, contacts have been made both with the Gran Telescopio Canarias and the Isaac Newton Group at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory.
The goal of the second Workshop is to dedicate three days to sessions focused on each of the La Palma Interferometry systems, including science and management, in preparation for the LPI Conceptual Design Phase, which begins on June 1st, 2025.
The LPI project is a collaboration between various centres of research, and other institutions in Spain, Italy, the nordic countries and Mexico.
La Palma Interferometer at the ORM (Google Earth). Credits: LPI homepage
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