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How did they determine the angular diameter, please? How to predict the baseline length with the first lobe? Thank you.

https://www.chara.gsu.edu/public/basics-of-interferometry

enter image description here

If they are theoretical curves, my question is what formula is used. There needs to be some relation to how to compute the length of baseline for the particular angular diameter $\theta$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Putting the diagramme and the question into slightly more context would be really helpful. Did you consider it being theoretical curves? $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 8 at 19:46
  • $\begingroup$ If they are theoretical curves, my question is what formula is used. There needs to be some relation to how to compute the length of baseline for the particular angular diameter $\theta$. $\endgroup$
    – Elena Greg
    Commented Jan 9 at 7:33
  • $\begingroup$ Did you look at the extensive explanation material the site links? Why or how wasn't that helpful? $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 9 at 8:01
  • $\begingroup$ I quickly went through it and did not find it. $\endgroup$
    – Elena Greg
    Commented Jan 9 at 10:28
  • $\begingroup$ Stellar interferometry is a cool way to measure the diameters of stars when we can't directly image them. cf. What equipment and techniques were used to study Betelgeuse's diameter in 1920? I can't give you a formula, but I'll be it can be derived for a uniform disk and two slits. If the start was a point, the visibility would be flat at 1.0 (perfect constructive and destructive interference) but the finite diameter has a "smearing" effect that makes the max/min ratio drop because the angle from one part of the star is producing a maximum $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Jan 10 at 12:04

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