Near infrared high angular resolution observations of stars and circumstellar regions by the technique of lunar occultations

Abstract

A program of high angular resolution observations of stars and their circumstellar regions using the technique of lunar occultations has been initiated at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. A liquid nitrogen cooled InSb detector based high speed infrared photometer with millisecond data acquisition capabilities has been developed and a dozen occultations have been successfully observed at 2.2 micrometers. A detailed analysis of the system capability suggests a presently achievable angular resolution of 3.5 milliarcseconds.