ABSTRACT
The Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) 80cm infrared telescope is designed for near-infrared time-domain observations. It’s primary scientific objectives include follow-up of transients such as supernovae, gamma-ray burst afterglows, tidal disruption events, and monitoring of brown dwarfs, AGNs and variable stars. The telescope has an 80cm diameter with f/8, and is capable of observing in J and K bands. The telescope's J band is paired with a 640x512 InGaAs detector, and K band is coupled with 640x512 HgCdTe detectors in a 1x3 mosaic. The telescope is located at the Lenghu Observatory in Qinghai Province. We tested the photometric ability by observation. It achieves limiting magnitudes of 16.5 mag (Vega system) in J band and 13.8 mag in K band, repectively, with a 20s exposure. With a cumulative exposure time of 30 minutes, the limiting magnitudes improve to 18.0 mag in J band and 15.5 mag in K band. The photometric precision was assessed by observing variable stars, achieving a photometric precision of 0.04 mag at J = 13.9 mag and 0.03 mag at K = 11.8 mag. In October 2024, the telescope successfully captured the infrared afterglow of GRB 241030A, demonstrating its capability to detect transients. We have also been observing various objects, including high-redshift quasars, Supernovae, RR Lyrae stars, and brown dwarfs. In particular, we collaborated with Tsinghua University to monitor Bernhard-1 and Bernhard-2, two candidates that are binary systems being occulted by a misaligned circumbinary disk. The telescope is currently in the commissioning phase and is expected to start formal operation in September 2025. We will launch more scientific observations and welcome collaboration and communication.
BIO
I am currently a PhD student at Sun Yat-sen University, undertaking a one-year joint training program at the National Astronomical Observatories, CAS. My research focuses on near-infrared observation systems based on InGaAs detectors, including data processing, camera and telescope testing, and the automation of telescope operations. I have participated in the testing of the Antarctic Infrared Binocular Telescope (AIRBT), which is conducting time-domain research in J and H bands in Antarctica. Additionally, I have been involved in the testing and commissioning of the Sun Yat-sen University 80cm infrared telescope, and leading the observation group. Currently, I am working on developing a photometric pipeline and an autonomous, unmanned operation system.
Host: Zhecheng Hu
