Pierre Kervella – Curriculum Vitae
Observatoire de Paris, LESIA, 5 place Jules Janssen, F-92195 Meudon, +33 145077966
Professional email: pierre
– dot - kervella – at – obspm – dot - fr
http://lesia.obspm.fr/perso/pierre-kervella/
Education
and professional experience:
2012 : Astronome (Full Professor), Observatoire de
Paris (LESIA)
2007: Habilitation thesis, Paris 7
University, 11/07/2007, "Application
of interferometry to the study of Cepheids and dwarf stars",
Manuscript (in french): http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00258916/en/
2004-2012: Astronome-Adjoint (Associate Professor), Observatoire de
Paris (LESIA)
2002-2004: Staff Astronomer and Fellow at ESO, Santiago and
Cerro Paranal (Chile).
Responsible,
first as PhD student then as fellow of the construction and operation of the
successful VINCI instrument of the VLTI. Lead author of the data reduction
software of this instrument. Observing experience of ~300 nights at Paranal
(VLTI commissioning and scientific observations), and more than 150 nights at
other interferometric facilities (CHARA, PTI, IOTA).
1998-2001: PhD in Astrophysics, ESO Garching
and Paris 7 University, 14/11/2001:
"Optical interferometry with the VLT –
Application to the study of Cepheids", with High Honors, Manuscript
(in french): http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00258928/en/
1996-1997: Master in Astrophysics and Space Science, Paris 7
University, High Honors
1995-1996: Master in Mechanical Structure Engineering, Paris 6
University, with Honors
1993-1996: Engineer in Electro-Mechanics, ESTP (Paris), head of the list.
Astrophysics research
topics: Interferometric instrumentation and observational stellar physics
á
Instrumentation
for optical/infrared long-baseline interferometry:
2007-present:
responsible of the scientific data reduction software of GRAVITY, one of the
second generation VLTI instruments, aimed at ultra-high accuracy astrometry of
the Galactic Center.
1998-2004:
reponsible at ESO of the successful VINCI commissioning instrument of the VLTI.
á
Cepheids: innovative application
of diffferent observing techniques to Cepheids: interferometry (VLTI), high
resolution spectroscopy (HARPS), imaging,... Discovery in 2005 of the circumstellar
envelopes of Cepheids. Study of the light echoes of RS Pup. Ongoing observing
programs with the VLT, HST and Herschel.
á
Fast-rotating
stars: discovery of the spectacular flattening of the nearby Be star Achernar and of its asymetric
circumstellar envelope. Discovery of the A0V companion of Achernar in 2007
(using VISIR and NACO).
á
Evolved stars: discovery of the compact
gaseous asymetric envelope of Betelgeuse in 2009 using lucky imaging with NACO,
discovery of its extended dusty envelope in 2011 using VISIR.
á
Structure and
evolution of solar type stars: modeling of nearby dwarf stars using a
combination of constraints from interferometry, photometry, asteroseismology, and
spectroscopy (applied e.g. to a Cen, 61 Cyg,É).
Supervision of PhD students and post-doctoral researchers:
2012-2015: Joanne Breitfelder (PhD), interferometric calibration of the
Cepheid distance scale (with A. MŽrand)
2011-2014: Miguel Montargs (PhD), mass loss of the red supergiant star
Betelgeuse (with G. Perrin)
2011: Peter Schuller (post-doctoral researcher), atmospheric properties
of Paranal for interferometry
2008-2011: Alexandre Gallenne (PhD), characterization of Cepheid
envelopes (with A. MŽrand)
Teaching activities: ~100-150 h/yr
ÒFourier optics and
coherenceÓ, Master 1, Paris Observatory (18 h/yr)
ÒHigh angular resolution in
AstronomyÓ, Master 2 Research, Paris Observatory (8 h/yr)
ÒInstrumentation in
AstronomyÓ, LuMMEx Master 2 Research, Paris 6 University (9 h/yr)
ÒProposals for large
telescopesÓ, Post-Master course, Paris Observatory (15 h/yr)
ÒStars and the Interstellar MediumÓ, University Degree, Paris
Observatory (13h/yr)
ÒAstronomy and Celestial MechanicsÓ, Remote teaching, Paris
Observatory (~30 h/yr)
Pedagogical projets with
school teachers (~10h/yr)
Supervision of the MasterÕs
thesis of ~two Master 1 or Master 2 students per year
Scientific and administrative responsibilities:
- 2011-2012 and
2005-2007: expert adviser for the ESO OPC in panel D (stars), for six periods.
- 2007-2013:
expert adviser for the European Research Council (Marie Curie mobility
programs)
- 2009-2013:
elected member of the ÒUnitŽ Formation et EnseignementÓ council at Paris
Observatory
- 2010-2014:
elected member of the LESIA laboratory council
- 2010-2014:
member of the scientific council of the french National Program in Stellar
Physics (PNPS)
- 2008-2012:
co-responsible of the FP7/OPTICON programme ÒEnhancing the scientific output of
InterferometryÓ with Denis Mourard and Franoise Delplancke.
- 2007-2011:
elected member of the french Conseil
National des Astronomes et Physiciens (CNAP), the committee in charge of
the recruitement and career management of french astronomers.
- 2007-2011:
member of the scientific council of the Jean-Marie Mariotti Center (JMMC)
- referee for
A&A, ApJ, Science, Nature, MNRAS, PASP,...
Prizes: Prix Jeune Chercheur of the SociŽtŽ Franaise dÕAstronomie
et dÕAstrophysique (SF2A) in 2009.
Publications in refereed
journals:
74 refereed articles (+3
submitted), 26 as first author, and 16 in second position, ~2200 citations, h-index=31
Tinetti G., Beaulieu J.-P.,É, Kervella P., et al., Experimental Astronomy, in press (2012), arXiv:1112.2728
69) Thermal infrared
properties of classical and type II Cepheids - 10 µm imaging with VISIR
Gallenne A., Kervella P., MŽrand A., A&A, 538, A24 (2012)
MŽrand A., Kervella P., et al., A&A 517, 64 (2010)
Mourard D.,É, Kervella P., et al. A&A 508, 1073 (2009)
Absil O.,É, Kervella P., et al. ApJ 704, 150 (2009)
Nardetto N., Gieren W., Kervella P., FouquŽ P., Storm J., Mourard, D., & Queloz D. A&A 502, 951 (2009)
Kervella P., MŽrand A., Gallenne A. A&A 498, 425 (2009)
Kervella P., Domiciano de Souza A., Kanaan S., Spang A., Stee Ph. A&A 493, L53 (2009)
50) The nearby eclipsing
stellar system d Velorum. I.
Origin of the IR excess from VISIR and NACO imaging
Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., Petr-Gotzens M. A&A 493, 107 (2009)
Kervella P., FouquŽ P. A&A 491, 855 (2008)
Kervella P., MŽrand A., ThŽvenin F., Heiter U., et al. A&A 488, 667 (2008)
47) A near-infrared
interferometric survey of debris disc stars - II. CHARA/FLUOR observations of
six dwarfs
Absil O., Di Folco E., MŽrand A., ..., Kervella P., et al. A&A 487, 1041 (2008)
46) A low-mass planet with a
possible sub-stellar-mass host in microlensing event MOA-2007-BLG-192
Bennett D. P., Bond I. A., Udalski A.,..., Kervella P., et al. ApJ 684, 663 (2008)
Kervella P., Domiciano de Souza A., & Bendjoya, Ph. A&A, 484, L13 (2008)
Domiciano de Souza A., Kervella P., Bendjoya Ph., & Niccolini G. A&A 480, L29 (2008)
Kervella P., MŽrand A., Szabados L., FouquŽ P., et al. A&A 480, 167 (2008)
Kervella P., & Domiciano de Souza A. A&A 474, L49 (2007)
Cunha M. S., Aerts C., Christensen-Dalsgaard J.,É, Kervella P. et al.. A&A Review, 14, 217 (2007)
Kellerer A., Petr-Gotzens M. P., Kervella P., CoudŽ du Foresto V. A&A 469, 633 (2007)
MŽrand A., Aufdenberg J., Kervella P., CoudŽ du Foresto V., et al. ApJ 664, 1093 (2007)
Kervella P. A&A 464, 1045 (2007)
Kervella P. & ThŽvenin F. A&A 464, 373 (2007)
Mathias P., Gillet D., Fokin A. B., Nardetto N., Kervella P. & Mourard D. A&A 457, 575 (2006)
Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., CoudŽ du Foresto V. & Mignard F. A&A 459, 669 (2006)
Kervella P. & Domiciano de Souza A. A&A 453, 1059 (2006)
Aufdenberg J., MŽrand A., CoudŽ V., Absil O., Di Folco E., Kervella P., et al. ApJ 645, 664 (2006) Err. ApJ 651, 617
Nardetto N., Mourard D., Kervella P., Mathias Ph., MŽrand A., & Bersier D. A&A 453, 309 (2006)
Absil O., Di Folco E., MŽrand A., CoudŽ V., Augereau J.-C., Aufdenberg J., Kervella P., et al. A&A 452, 237 (2006)
Kervella P., MŽrand A., Perrin G., CoudŽ du Foresto V. A&A 448, 623 (2006)
Bigot L., Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., SŽgransan D. A&A 446, 635 (2006)
Domiciano de Souza A., Kervella P., Jankov
S., et al. A&A 442, 567 (2005)
MŽrand A., Kervella P., CoudŽ du Foresto
V., et al. A&A 438, L9 (2005)
Aufdenberg J., Ludwig H. G., Kervella P. ApJ 633, 424 (2005)
Thevenin F., Kervella P., Pichon B., et al. A&A 436, 253 (2005)
Petr-Gotzens M. G., Kellerer A., Kervella P., CoudŽ du Foresto V., Astron. Nachrichten 326, 569 (2005)
Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., SŽgransan D., Di Folco E. A&A 426, 297 (2004)
Kervella P., Bersier D., Nardetto N., Mourard D., FouquŽ P., CoudŽ du Foresto V. A&A 428, 587 (2004)
Kervella P., Bersier D., Nardetto N., Mourard D., CoudŽ du Foresto V. A&A 423, 327 (2004)
Kervella P., Nardetto N., Bersier D., Mourard D., CoudŽ du Foresto V. A&A 416, 941 (2004)
16) First observations with
an H-band integrated optics beam combiner at the VLTI
Le Bouquin J.-B., Rousselet-Perrault K., Kern P., Malbet F., Haguenauer P., Kervella P., et al. A&A 424, 719 (2004)
15) Self consistent modelling
of the projection factor for interferometric distance determination
Nardetto N., Fokin A., Mourard D., Mathias Ph., Kervella P., Bersier D. A&A 428, 131 (2004)
14) VLTI observations of
Vega-like stars. Radius and age of a PsA, b Leo, b Pic, e Eri and t Cet
Di Folco E., Thevenin F., Kervella P., Domiciano A., CoudŽ du Foresto V., et al. A&A 426, 601 (2004)
Kervella P., SŽgransan D., CoudŽ du Foresto V. A&A 425, 1161 (2004)
Wittkowski M., Kervella P., Arsenault R., Paresce F., Beckert T., Weigelt G. A&A 418, L39 (2004)
Kervella P., FouquŽ P., Storm J., Gieren W.P., Bersier D., Mourard D., et al. ApJ 604, 113 (2004)
Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., Morel P., Provost J., BordŽ P.,
Berthomieu G. A&A 413, 251 (2004)
9) Test of
stellar model atmospheres by interferometry - The limb darkening of the M4
giant y Phe
Wittkowski M., Aufdenberg J. P., Kervella P. A&A 413, 711 (2004)
Van Boekel R., Kervella P., Schšller
M., Herbst T., Brandner W., de Koters A., et
al. A&A 410, L37 (2003)
Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., Morel P., BordŽ P., Di Folco E. A&A 408, 681 (2003)
Domiciano de Souza A., Kervella P.,
Jankov S., Abe L., Vakili F., Di Folco E., Paresce F. A&A 407, L47 (2003)
Kervella P., ThŽvenin F., SŽgransan S., et al. A&A 404, 1087 (2003), illustration de couverture de A&A
4) First radius
measurements of very low mass stars with the VLTI
SŽgransan S., Kervella P., Forveille
T., Queloz D. A&A 397, L5 (2003)
3) Calibration of
the Barnes-Evans relation using interferometric observations of Cepheids
Nordgren T.E., Lane B.F., Hindsley R.B., Kervella
P. AJ 123, 3380 (2002)
Mennesson B., Perrin G.,..., Kervella P., Traub W., Lacasse M. ApJ 579, 446 (2002)
1) The angular
diameter and distance of the Cepheid z Gem
Kervella P., CoudŽ du Foresto V., Perrin G., Schšller M., Traub W. A., Lacasse M. G. A&A 367, 876 (2001)
Invited
presentations at international conferences and advanced schools:
6)
Stellar radii from long-baseline
interferometry: strong constraints in the Kepler era (invited presentation)
Kervella
P., Los
Alamos Stellar Hydrodynamics Workshop, Santa Fe, NM, USA, 2-4 Avril 2012
5) Fundamental stellar
parameter constraints from interferometry (invited presentation)
Kervella P., Conf. ÒTen Years of VLTIÓ, 24-27 Oct. 2011, http://www.eso.org/VLTI_2011/
4) A brief history of optical interferometry (invited review at an international advanced school)
Kervella P., European Erasmus Intensive Program, Porquerolles, 17-28 Avril 2010
http://www.european-interferometry.eu/training/2010
3) Hot stars and interferometry: Achernar and η Carinae (invited presentation)
Kervella P., Conf. ÒThe interferometric view on hot starsÓ, 2-6 March 2009, Vi–a, Chile
2) Interferometric angular diameters, linear radii and stellar modeling (invited presentation)
Kervella P., Conf. Ò14th Cool Stars, Stellar Systems and the Sun workshopÓ, Pasadena, 5-10 Novembre 2006
1) Observations of Achernar with VINCI (invited presentation at an international advanced school)
Kervella P., Euro Summer School ÒObservation and data reduction with the VLTIÓ , Goutelas, France (2006)
Conference
proceedings:
102 articles, 28 as first author, ~340 citations, h-index=8. The articles more recent than 2009 are listed below.
- Interferometry, spectroscopy and astrometry of the
bright eclipsing system δ Velorum
Kervella P., MŽrand A., Pribulla T., Proc. Orbital Couples ÒPas de DeuxÓ workshop, Paris, October 2011.
- Proceedings Ò20th Stellar Pulsation ConferenceÓ, Granada, Espagne (2012)
Long-baseline interferometric observations of Cepheids, Kervella P., MŽrand A., Gallenne A.
High accuracy interferometric radii of asteroseismic targets, Kervella P., MŽrand A., et al.
Spectro-inteferometry of velocity-related phenomena at the surface of stars,
MŽrand A., Aufdenberg J., Kervella P.
- The science of EchO, Tinetti
G., Cho J. Y. K.,..., Kervella P. et
al., Proc. IAU Symposium, 276,
359
- JournŽes de la SF2A 2011,
Paris: http://proc.sf2a.asso.fr
Infrared excess and extended emission around Cepheids, Gallenne A., Kervella P., MŽrand A., et al.
Surface convection: from the Sun to red giant stars, Piau L., Kervella P., Bib S., & Hauschildt P.
- Science with GRAVITY, the NIR Interferometric Imager
Paumard T., Gillessen S.,..., Kervella P. et al., Proc. ÒThe Galactic CenterÓ, Shanghai, China, Oct. 19-23, 2009. M. R. Morris, Q. D. Wang & Feng Yuan Eds, San Francisco: ASP Conf. Series 439, 267 (2011)
- GRAVITY: a four-telescope beam combiner instrument
for the VLTI
Gillessen S., Eisenhauer F.,É, Kervella P., et al., Proc. SPIE "Optical and Infrared Interferometry II", 7734, 28 (2010)
- Development of a high-dynamic range imaging
instrument for a single telescope by a pupil remapping system
Kotani T., Lacour S.,É, Kervella P., et al., Proc. SPIE "Optical and Infrared Interferometry II", 7734, 116 (2010)
- Status and new operation modes of the versatile
VLT/NaCo
Girard J. H. V., Kasper M.,É, Kervella P., et al., Proc. SPIE "Adaptive Optics Systems II", 7736, 89 (2010)
- Hot stars and interferometry: Achernar and eta Carinae (prŽsentation invitŽe)
Kervella P., Proc. Conf. ÒThe interferometric view on hot starsÓ, 2-6 March 2009, Vi–a, Chile, RmxAC 38, 37 (2010)
- Interferometric views on the Cepheids
MŽrand A., Kervella P., & Gallenne A., Proc. Conf. ÒThe interferometric view on hot starsÓ, 2-6 March 2009, Vi–a, Chile, RmxAC 38, 102 (2010)
- Proceedings ÒStellar Pulsation: Challenges for Theory and
ObservationÓ, AIP Conf. Proceedings vol. 1170
From the Dynamics of
Cepheids to the Milky Way Rotation, and the Distance Scale Calibration
Nardetto, N., Kervella P., Barnes T., p. 13
What we learned from
interferometric observations of Cepheids, MŽrand A.
& Kervella P., Gallenne A., p. 79
Thermal infrared
observations of Cepheid envelopes with VLT/VISIR,
Gallenne A., MŽrand A. & Kervella P.., p. 90
- Cepheids at high resolution: pulsation, distances and
circumstellar envelopes
Gallenne A., MŽrand A. & Kervella P., AAS #214, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 41, 700 (2009)
- GRAVITY: microarcsecond astrometry and deep
interferometric imaging with the VLT
Eisenhauer F.,..., Kervella P. et al., Proc. Ap&SS, ISBN 978-1-4020-9189-6, Springer Netherlands, p. 361 (2009)
- PEGASE, an infrared interferometer to study stellar
environments and low mass companions around nearby stars, Ollivier M., ..., Kervella P., et al., Experimental Astronomy, 23, 403 (2009)
- Exoplanet Characterization and the Search for Life
Kasting J., ..., Kervella P., et al. Science white paper prepared for the Astro2010 Decadal Review7 (2009)
- New Astrophysical Opportunities Exploiting
Spatio-Temporal Optical Correlations
Barbieri C., ..., Kervella P., et al. Science white paper prepared for the Astro2010 Decadal Review7 (2009)
- Stellar Astrophysics with SIM and Optical Long
Baseline Interferometry
Ridgway S. T., ..., Kervella P., et al., American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #213, #455.07 (2009)
- The complex environment of the fast rotating star
Achernar
Kervella P., Domiciano de Souza A., Kanaan S., et al., Proc. SF2A 2008, 474, http://proc.sf2a.asso.fr
- High-resolution thermal IR imaging of MWC300 with
VLT/VISIR
Domiciano de Souza A., Kervella P., Bendjoya Ph.; Niccolini G., Proc. SF2A 2008, p. 455, http://proc.sf2a.asso.fr
- Discovery of a Low-mass Planet Orbiting a Low-mass
Star in Microlensing Event MOA-2007-BLG-192
Bennett D. P., ..., Kervella P., et al., American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #212, #10.12 (2008)
- Proceedings SPIE "Astronomical Telescopes and
Instrumentation", Marseille (06/2008)
Toward a revival of
Stellar Intensity Interferometry, LeBohec S.,..., Kervella
P., et al.
Asteroseismology and interferometry (article invitŽ), Schmider F.-X.,..., Kervella P., et al.
GRAVITY: getting to the
event horizon of Sgr A*, Eisenhauer F.,..., Kervella
P. et al.
VEGA: a new Visible spEctroGraph
and polArimeter on CHARA, Mourard D.,..., Kervella
P., et al.
- Stellar radii from long-baseline interferometry
Kervella P., IAU Symp. 252, p. 405, "The Art of Modeling Stars in the
21st Century", Sanya, China, 5-11
April 2008
- Proceedings The Power of Optical/IR Interferometry: Recent
Scientific Results and 2nd Generation Instrumentation, ESO Astrophysics Symposia, Volume ISBN 978-3-540-74253-1. Springer
(2008):
Fundamental parameters of d Vel, Kellerer A., Petr-Gotzens M., Kervella P., & CoudŽ du Foresto C., p. 531
Interferometric aperture synthesis of Altair, Domiciano de Souza A., Kervella P., Jankov S., et al., p. 487
Evolutionary modeling of
nearby stars using asteroseismic and interferometric constraints
Kervella P., & ThŽvenin F., p. 479
GENIE: a Ground-Based
Nulling Instrument at ESO VLTI, Gondoin Ph.,..., Kervella
P., et al., p. 445
h Car
through the Eyes of Interferometers, Chesneau
O.,..., Kervella P., et al.,
p. 131
Cepheid observations using
CHARA/FLUOR: a Umi and d Cep, MŽrand A., Kervella P., et al., p. 99
Cepheid Distances from Interferometry, Kervella P., Nardetto N., Bersier D., et al., p. 83
Limb Darkening: Getting Warmer, Aufdenberg, J. P., Ludwig H.-G., Kervella P., et al., p. 71
- New facts about d Velorum: fewer but larger components, Kellerer A., Petr-Gotzens M., Kervella P., CoudŽ du Foresto A., "Multiple Stars Across the H-R Diagram", ESO Ast.Symp., ISBN 978-3-540-74744-4., p. 119 (2008)
- GRAVITY: microarcsecond astrometry and deep
interferometric imaging with the VLTI
Ensenhauer
F.,..., Kervella P., et al., "A Giant Step: from Milli- to
Micro-arcsecond Astrometry", Proc.
International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 248, p. 100 (2008)
- Abundance analysis of AlphaCen A : The 3D hydrodynamical approach
Bigot L., ThŽvenin
F., Kervella P., Mem. S.A.It.,
79, 3 (2008)
Proc. ÒThe pulsation of Cepheids – the CASSINI projectÓ conference, EAS Publications Series, 38 (2009)
Kervella P., MŽrand A., Proc. ÒThe pulsation of Cepheids – the CASSINI projectÓ, EAS Pub. Series, 38, 143 (2009)
Habilitation ˆ Diriger des
Recherches:
Application of interferometry
to the study of Cepheids and dwarf stars
Defended on 11 July 2007 at Institut dÕAstrophysique de Paris
Manuscript (in french): http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00258916/en/
Jury: G. Rousset (President), A. Barrau (Referee), A. Chelli (Referee), P. LŽna (Referee), D. Bersier, P. FouquŽ,
D. Mourard, F. ThŽvenin
Optical interferometry is a powerful technique for the study of stars in exquisite details, by enabling the spatial resolution of their disks. I present three applications of this technique to the study of different types of stars: Cepheids, main sequence stars, and fast rotators. Cepheids are a famous class of supergiants that are widely used as standard candles for distance measurements, through the period-luminosity (P-L) relations. Interferometry allows to apply a refined version of the Baade--Wesselink method to estimate the distance to nearby Cepheids, and therefore calibrate the P--L relations. While this method is promising and potentially very precise, several points in its application are critical, in particular the projection factor. Main sequence stars are by far the most numerous stellar class in the universe, as all stars spend the majority of their life as dwarfs. I have applied interferometry to a broad range of main sequence stars, from the very low mass {Proxima} to hot stars. In particular, I have realized the first combination of interferometric and asteroseismic constraints for the modeling of stars (the two components of Alpha Centauri, as well as other stars). In a third part, I describe the recent results that we have obtained on fast rotating stars. Due to the very strong centrifugal force at the equator, the photosphere of these stars is strongly distorted. Interferometry allows to observe these deformations, and I describe our observations of three bright, fast rotating stars: Altair, Achernar and Vega.
PhD Thesis:
Optical
interferometry with the VLT – Application to the study of Cepheids
Defended on 14 November 2001 at the Observatoire de Paris, in Meudon, with High Honors
Manuscript (in french): http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00258928/en/
Advisors: P.
LŽna (Paris 7 Univ.), V. CoudŽ du Foresto (Obs. de Paris) and A. Glindemann
(ESO)
Jury: D. Rouan (President), D. Mourard (Referee), S. T. Ridgway (Referee), P. LŽna (supervisor), A. Glindemann (supervisor), V. CoudŽ du Foresto
Installed at the heart of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI, located on top of the Cerro Paranal, in northern Chile), the VINCI instrument allows to combine coherently the infrared light coming from two separate telescopes. Therefore, it opens an access to very high angular resolution observations of the sky (down to a few milliarcseconds). Many important astrophysical questions will be adressed by this instrumen t: the physics of stars, protoplanetary disks and extrasolar planets, among other programs. My thesis work on the VINCI instrument has covered its conception, in particular the functionnal definition of its software system, its installation on top of the Cerro Paranal and its first scientific observations. In the first part of this document, I describe the principles of the beam combination with VINCI and its performances both in the laboratory and in real observational conditions.
In a second part, I describe the application of long-baseline optical interferometry to the study of the Cepheid variable stars. These pulsating supergiants play a fundamental role in the measurement of distances in the Universe, since it has been established that their photometric variation period it linked to their intrinsic luminosity through the famous period-luminosity relationship. The calibration of this relation requires that the distance to a number of nearby Cepheids is measured directly, unfortunately, these distances are currently poorly known, even to the closest Cepheids. The very high angular resolution allowed by VINCI and the VLTI will soon enable the refined study of the pulsation of the nearby Cepheids. By combining simultaneous observations of the radial velocity of their photosphere with angular diameter measurements, it will be possible to estimate directly their distance. The goal of this program: the calibration of the period-luminosity relationship with a precision better than 0,01 mag, a factor ten better than our current knowledge. In addition to this fundamental program, I decribe also the possibilities offered by VINCI for the study of the main sequence dwarfs, in particular solar-type stars (with an application to the binary star Aplha Centauri A and B), and I briefly discuss the case of the extrasolar giant planets.
Reports
and technical documents:
In the framework of my current work on the GRAVITY instrument, I have been the main author or co-author of several technical documents listed below.
Reference: Title: Version Date
VLT-TRE-GRA-15884-4358 Calibrations and Data Reduction Lib. Specs. v2.0 26.10.09
VLT-TRE-GRA-15882-1001 Science Cases & Observing Strategies v1.0 30.10.09
VLT-SPE-GRA-15882-9501 Data Reduction Library Specifications v1.0 30.10.09
VLT-PLA-GRA-15882-9502 Instrument Calibration Plan v1.0 30.10.09
VLT-SPE-GRA-15882-9502 Data Reduction Library design v1.0 31.07.11
VLT-SPE-GRA-15882-9503 Data Reduction Library validation and tests v1.0 31.07.11
VLT-TRE-GRA-15882-9602 Data Reduction Software data description v3.0 31.07.11
VLT-SPE-GRA-15882-9505 Exposure Time Calculator Specifications v1.0 31.07.11
VLT-PLA-GRA-15882-9502 Instrument Calibration Plan v3.0 31.07.11
VLT-LIS-GRA-15882-9503 Calibration Plan appendix (binary calibrators) v3.0 31.07.11
VLT-MAN-GRA-15882-1010 Template Manual v3.0 31.07.11
Other
publications:
Nardetto N., Kervella P., Barnes T., et al., ESO Messenger, 134, 20 (2008)
Kervella P., Journal de lÕAssociation Astronomique de Franche-ComtŽ ÒLe Point AstroÓ (November 2005)
Ballester P., Kervella P., Rasmussen L. P., Richichi A., Sabet C., Schšller M., et al., ESO Messenger, 106, 2 (2001)
- Light at the end of the tunnel - First Fringes with
the VLTI
Glindemann A., Bauvir B., Delplancke F.,..., Kervella P., et al., ESO Messenger, 104, 2 (2001)
- The VLTI – The Observatory of the 21st
Century
Glindemann A., Abuter R., Carbognani F.,..., Kervella P., et al., ESO Messenger, 98, 2 (1999)
Press
releases, media and outreach:
The press releases listed below received a good echo in the
media (internet, press, radio, TV).
Our recent results on Betelgeuse were in particular
reported in the Cosmic
Front (52 min) series of
the japanese NHK TV, broadcasted on 21 June 2011 in prime time (http://pf.nhk-ep.co.jp/detail/1524).
Public conference at the Collge de France ÒBŽtelgeuse ˆ
Haute RŽsolution AngulaireÓ, 9 Feb. 2011
The Flames of Betelgeuse – June 2011, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1121/
Sharpest views of Betelgeuse– July 2009, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0927/
Light echoes tell the distance to a Cepheid –
February 2008, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0805/
Cepheids and their 'Cocoons' – February 2006, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0609/
Measuring Cosmic Distances with Stellar Heart Beats –
Oct. 2004, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0432/
Public conference at the Collge de France ÒPremires
observations de CŽphŽides avec le VLTIÓ, 19 Mai 2004
The Flattest Star Ever Seen – June 2003, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0316/
A Family Portrait of the α Centauri System
– March 2003, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0307/
How Small are Small Stars really ? – November 2002, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0232/
Four Eyes are Better – September 2002, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0225/
Giant Eyes for the VLT Interferometer – November
2001, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0134/
First Light for the VLT Interferometer – March 2001, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0111/
MONA, LISA and VINCI soon to travel to Paranal – Nov. 2000, http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso0038/