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Abstract We resolve the multiple images of the binary-lens microlensing event ASASSN-22av using the GRAVITY instrument of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). The light curves show weak binary-lens perturbations, complicating the analysis, but the joint modeling with the VLTI data breaks several degeneracies, arriving at a strongly favored solution. Thanks to precise measurements of the angular Einstein radiusθE= 0.724 ± 0.002 mas and microlens parallax, we determine that the lens system consists of two M dwarfs with masses ofM1= 0.258 ± 0.008M⊙andM2= 0.130 ± 0.007M⊙, a projected separation ofr⊥= 6.83 ± 0.31 au, and a distance ofDL= 2.29 ± 0.08 kpc. The successful VLTI observations of ASASSN-22av open up a new path for studying intermediate-separation (i.e., a few astronomical units) stellar-mass binaries, including those containing dark compact objects such as neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes.
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This content will become publicly available on February 3, 2026
Observations of Microlensed Images with Dual-field Interferometry: On-sky Demonstration and Prospects
Abstract Interferometric observations of gravitational microlensing events offer an opportunity for precise, efficient, and direct mass and distance measurements of lensing objects, especially those of isolated neutron stars and black holes. However, such observations have previously been possible for only a handful of extremely bright events. The recent development of a dual-field interferometer, GRAVITY Wide, has made it possible to reach out to significantly fainter objects and increase the pool of microlensing events amenable to interferometric observations by 2 orders of magnitude. Here, we present the first successful observation of a microlensing event with GRAVITY Wide and the resolution of microlensed images in the event OGLE-2023-BLG-0061/KMT-2023-BLG-0496. We measure the angular Einstein radius of the lens with subpercent precision,θE = 1.280 ± 0.009 mas. Combined with the microlensing parallax detected from the event light curve, the mass and distance to the lens are found to be 0.472 ± 0.012M⊙and 1.81 ± 0.05 kpc, respectively. We present the procedure for the selection of targets for interferometric observations and discuss possible systematic effects affecting GRAVITY Wide data. This detection demonstrates the capabilities of the new instrument, and it opens up completely new possibilities for the follow-up of microlensing events and future routine discoveries of isolated neutron stars and black holes.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2108414
- PAR ID:
- 10654675
- Author(s) / Creator(s):
- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more »
- Publisher / Repository:
- AAS Journals
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Volume:
- 980
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0004-637X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 47
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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