Observing planets with the Very Large Telescope Interferometer

Markus Schoeller & Martin Vannier

Optical long baseline interferometry provides the spatial resolution and astrometric 
accuracy needed to detect extrasolar planets. With baselines of up to 200m, four movable 
1.8m Auxiliary Telescopes and large apertures on the four 8m Unit Telescopes, the Very Large 
Telescope Interferometer will play a leading role in ground based searches for exoplanets. 
We will review the current status of the facility, discuss the various modes which could
lead to planet detections, and show results from the first attempts to detect planetary 
signals.