The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: A fully optimized aperture synthesis array for imaging

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer will be the first facility-class optical interferometer optimized strictly for an imaging science mission. The array in its final form is envisaged to comprise ten 1.4 m aperture movable telescopes in a Y configuration, baselines extending from 8 to 400 meters, delay lines capable of tracking well-placed sources for 6 continuous hours, fringe-tracking in the near-infrared, and undertake science observations at both near-infrared and optical wavelengths. The science reference mission includes studies of young stellar objects, a full range of stellar astrophysics, and imaging studies of the nearest and brightest 100 active galactic nuclei. We will be staffing up to our full complement of personnel in New Mexico over the next year. Our goal for first fringes on the first baseline is 2007.