Interferometric Stellar Oscillation Spectrometry

Abstract

The Michelson Interferometric Stellar Oscillation Spectrometer (ISOS) has been developed and used over the past several years. It has the capability of measuring the relative radial velocity curve of a bright star to an accuracy of ~1ms⁻¹ or less after a few nights on a moderately sized telescope, This is barely sufficient to detect oscillations in Solar type stars, A truly positive detection of such oscillations may be achieved with the increased signal obtained by using more than the one absorption line used at the moment.

We present here a description of the instrument, the method by which it measures relative radial velocities, a discussion of some of the data obtained with it and a brief outline of how the accuracy can still be improved.