What is Interferometry?

Interferometry is a technique used by scientists and engineers. Tools called interferometers add together 2 or more waves of light. When they do this, the waves of light interact (or interfere) with each other. This can add the waves together, making them brighter. It can also cancel the waves out. Interference only takes place if the waves come from the same object or have the same frequency. We call these types of wave coherent.

Have you seen colour pictures of nebulae and galaxies? Have you thought about how those pictures were made? Did you know you can make your own with Go Observing and LTImage?