Guy Perrin receives the Fizeau 2020 prize

Guy Perrin entered the world of optical interferometry when, as a student, he worked with
the group that demonstrated the power of single-mode fibers for interferometric measurement (Coudé du Foresto, Mariotti and Ridgway). And he undertook the challenge of evolving the FLUOR concept into the first efficient precision interferometry machine. Early examples are the exquisite precision of his interferometric measurements of giant stars which led to the widely cited extension of the effective temperature scale of giants.

With this, Guy carried out pioneering work in providing a solid theoretical framework for singlemode interferometry (dispersion, piston effects, photon noise, field of view…). He embarked on highly original paths with the OHANA program and then with the FIRST concept.

Early in his work with interferometry, Guy adapted his scientific interests to the capabilities
of the instruments that he built, focusing on stars and astrophysics. But soon his interests
turned toward the potential power of interferometry for extragalactic astronomy and in
particular to study active galactic nuclei. This led him to conduct Paris’ initial
contribution to the MIDI instrument at VLTI, which has been so successful in challenging the
AGN standard model. It is thus not a surprise to find him as one of the
two architects, with PI Frank Eisenhauer, of the immensely successful GRAVITY project.

Throughout his career, Guy has always been committed to education and training. He has
supervised numerous PhD students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in
astronomy. Guy has not hesitated to accept major responsibilities in the scientific community, serving as Vice President of the Observatoire de Paris for 6 years, and supporting the French community as Directeur Adjoint Scientifique of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the CNRS INSU over the last 5 years.

The Fizeau prize

The Fizeau and Michelson prizes are two prizes for astronomical interferometry, sponsored by the Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur and the Lowell Observatory. The two prizes are similar but complementary, with the Fizeau prize emphasizing innovative technical and theoretical work, and the Michelson prize emphasizing the application of interferometry to astrophysical research. The awards were established in 2010 by IAU Commission 54 for Optical and Infrared Interferometry, OCA, and the Mt. Wilson Institute (MWI). In 2018, Lowell Observatory took over management of the Michelson Prize.