An ERC Starting Grant for young researchers, worth 2.5 million euros

The MicroStars project aims to push the boundaries of optical astronomy, enabling humanity to observe stars with a level of detail never achieved before.

Recent advancements in astronomical observation technologies are poised to revolutionize our understanding of the processes that formed the planets of the Solar System and to enable imaging of stellar surfaces and environments with unprecedented precision. The MicroStars project seeks to contribute to this transformation by demonstrating—through the technique of intensity interferometry—that Cherenkov telescopes, traditionally used for gamma-ray astronomy, can also be employed to create the largest virtual optical telescope ever conceived.

This innovative approach could overcome the intrinsic limitations of current optical interferometers, offering the possibility of resolving fine details on the surfaces of nearby stars and studying their immediate surroundings with unmatched clarity. By extending the capabilities of existing instruments and integrating novel interferometric methods, MicroStars has the potential to open a new era in both stellar and planetary formation research, deepening our knowledge of the physical processes that shape planetary systems and the stars that host them.