The Infrared Optical Telescope Array (IMAGE) Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Caption Interferometric observations by SAO's Infrared Optical Telescope Array, shown here, demonstrated that the red giant star Chi Cygni spans at least 300 million miles, large enough to swallow the planet Mars if it were at the center of our solar system. Interferometry combines signals from several telescopes to yield a sharp resolution equivalent to a single, giant telescope. Credit CNRS / Observatoire de Paris Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.