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Infrared Optical Telescope Array
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<p>The Infrared Optical Telescope Array (IOTA) was a <a href="/facts/Stellar_interferometer/rn1J8Kew">stellar interferometer</a> array. IOTA began with an agreement in 1988 among five Institutions, the <a href="/facts/Smithsonian_Astrophysical_Observatory/1Bz2ApPt">Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory</a>, <a href="/facts/Harvard_University/Lhy9L1cx">Harvard University</a>, the <a href="/facts/University_of_Massachusetts_Amherst/K7tIPJr7">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a>, the <a href="/facts/University_of_Wyoming/lSXltuH1">University of Wyoming</a>, and <a href="/facts/MIT/Xk49vNA8">MIT</a>/<a href="/facts/Lincoln_Laboratory/ea2JwxzT">Lincoln Laboratory</a>, to build a two-telescope stellar <a href="/facts/Interferometer/X3E1SsQT">interferometer</a> for the purpose of making fundamental astrophysical observations, and also as a prototype instrument on which they could perfect techniques which could later lead to the development of a larger, more powerful array. On site construction went on for all 1993 and 1994, with first fringes in December 1993. It is located at <a href="/facts/Fred_Lawrence_Whipple_Observatory/jnjc0aD4">Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory</a>. </p><p>In 2000 the third telescope came online providing <a href="/facts/Closure_phase/uuESfBud">closure phase</a> observations, allowing <a href="/facts/Aperture_synthesis/4gPMdmE1">aperture synthesis imaging</a> to be performed for the first time at IOTA. The array was decommissioned and disassembled in summer 2006 due to lack of funding. </p>