Figure 7: Space interferometer and outrigger mirrors for giant baselines.
- Normal interferometer mode, with free-flying telescopes Ti, Tj pointed
axially. The out-rigger mirrors Ai, Aj are unused, but travel towards their
assigned location for the subsequent observing session with the giant baseline;
- Giant baseline mode, with Ti, Tj pointed towards the out-rigger mirrors.
The neutron star image is focused by Ai, Aj onto the telescope apertures.
Background stars appearing around Ai, Aj provide information on the array
attitude, while laser beams (not shown) define its internal geometry.