MRO Interferometer: Prelude to First Fringes

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) is an ambitious plan to deploy a 10-telescope optical/near-infrared imaging interferometer capable of producing high-resolution, complex images on statistical samples of galactic and extra-galactic objects, having sub-milliarcsecond resolution and sensitivities several magnitudes deeper than is feasible today with similar facilities. We have made much recent progress--in late 2019 first-light through the beam train and into the inner beam combining facility was achieved using the first telescope, fast tip-tilt system, delay line and a back-end Shack Hartmann beam stabilization system. In 2020, we are preparing to receive the second telescope/enclosure and complete installation of the second delay line, optical tables in the facility, and deploy the fringe-tracker at the summit. This will allow us to realize the milestone of first-fringes planned to begin in late 2020 …