Scientific observations with MIDI on the VLTI: present and future

In April 2004, MIDI, the first of the two first generation instruments of the VLT interferometer, started official operation as a facility instrument on Paranal. It allows interferometric observations covering the full astronomical N band (7.8 μm - 13.5 μm). Initially, only observations with low spectral resolution λ/Δλ ~ 30 were offered. Examples for observations in this observing mode are presented in order to document the performance of the instrument. A number of new instrumental options are in preparation, which should render future observing with this instrument more sensitive, more accurate and more versatile.

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