XuYi Interferometer Observation Simulator
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The XuYi Interferometer is the first Chinese long-baseline optical interferometer currently under development by the National Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology (NIAOT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In preparation for future scientific operations, we developed the XuYi Interferometer Observation Simulator (XIOS), a lightweight MATLAB-based software package designed to assist observers in planning interferometric observations. The simulator combines target observability calculations, interferometric baseline geometry, delay-line constraints, (u,v)-coverage prediction, and visibility estimation into a single graphical user interface. It incorporates astronomical routines from the MAAT toolbox and adopts visualization concepts inspired by ASPRO2. The software allows users to evaluate observing opportunities, predict interferometric performances, and generate realistic observing configurations before telescope operations. We present the architecture of the simulator, its principal modules, and representative simulation results obtained for the current three-telescope XuYi interferometric configuration operating in the near-infrared H band.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology, National Astronomical Observatories, Cadi Ayyad University, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Lagrange Laboratory, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Georgia State University, Mount Wilson Observatory, Institute of High Energy Physics, Purple Mountain Observatory
Language: English
Subfield: Instrumentation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221039888