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| Paper: |
Imaging of stellar proper motions in the nucleus of M 31 with SIM |
| Volume: |
194, Working on the Fringe: Optical and IR Interferometry from Ground and Space |
| Page: |
219 |
| Authors: |
Böker, T.; Allen, R. J.; Rajagopal, J. |
| Abstract: |
We present simulations of imaging observations of the nuclear cluster of M31 with the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM). We have developed various models of the light distribution in the central 0.3 as of M31. Our simulations show that SIM is able to detect and isolate the brightest cluster stars from the background light. Depending on the actual light distribution, this will take between 2 and 10 hours of on-source integration time. The SIM resolution of 8 mas, over a mission lifetime of 5 yrs, allows a measurement of the cluster stars' proper motions. This will provide new constraints to the mass distribution in the center of M31, and in particular will set new mass limits on the proposed black hole. We also discuss the requirements on uv-coverage for such observations which are important to evaluate competing instrument designs for SIM. |
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