Liverpool Telescope Operations Oct 2016 - Mar 2017
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool John Moores University
Department Name: Astrophysics Research Institute
Abstract
The Liverpool Telescope (LT ) (http://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/) is the world's largest and most sophisticated (in terms of range of science programmes, flexibility of scheduling, and sophistication of instrumentation) robotic telescope with a dual role to carry out internationally competitive research and deliver the key observing resource to the National Schools Observatory. The NSO offers school children near-immediate access to a world-class observatory. Since its launch in 2004, this has led to over 100,000 observing requests from over 2,500 schools. The NSO currently works with over 4000 teachers throughout the UK and Ireland. At the core of the NSO is the website which provides support material for a range of subjects and receives well over 1 million hits each year.
Since operations began in 2004, LT has specialised in delivering high impact results in time domain astrophysics. Indeed, the observatory is unique in actively encouraging rapid-response and difficult-to-schedule monitoring projects from the U.K. and Spanish communities. Refereed publications that include LT data typically average 46 citations/paper, three time the average for all astronomy papers; to date 15 such papers have appeared in the high-profile journals Nature or Science, these having on average 86 citations/paper.
The telescope has high impact science programmes in five key areas of time domain astrophysics:
* Spectroscopy simultaneous with in-situ spacecraft measurements (e.g. ESA Rosetta and NASA New Horizons)
* Exoplanet Characterization
* Cataclysmic Variables, Novae and Supernovae
* Gravitational Wave and Gamma Ray Burst counterparts
* Active Galactic Nuclei
From the outset, the goal has been to provide a wide variety of instrumentation to cater for the broad interests of the LJMU and U.K./Spanish communities. Currently, optical photometry, spectroscopy and polarimetry and infrared photometry are offered with instruments and a software environment that are capable of sampling timescales from ~10 milliseconds to ~10 years. A continuous programme of instrument upgrades has been aggressively pursued throughout the last decade. This has kept the facility competitive and ensures its position at the forefront of time domain astronomy for at least the next five years.
This application is for an STFC contribution over the period Oct 2016- Mar 2017 to the funding for the maintenance and operation of the Liverpool Telescope, and hence the continuation of its role as a major resource both for the LJMU Astrophysics Research Institute and the wider UK community.
Since operations began in 2004, LT has specialised in delivering high impact results in time domain astrophysics. Indeed, the observatory is unique in actively encouraging rapid-response and difficult-to-schedule monitoring projects from the U.K. and Spanish communities. Refereed publications that include LT data typically average 46 citations/paper, three time the average for all astronomy papers; to date 15 such papers have appeared in the high-profile journals Nature or Science, these having on average 86 citations/paper.
The telescope has high impact science programmes in five key areas of time domain astrophysics:
* Spectroscopy simultaneous with in-situ spacecraft measurements (e.g. ESA Rosetta and NASA New Horizons)
* Exoplanet Characterization
* Cataclysmic Variables, Novae and Supernovae
* Gravitational Wave and Gamma Ray Burst counterparts
* Active Galactic Nuclei
From the outset, the goal has been to provide a wide variety of instrumentation to cater for the broad interests of the LJMU and U.K./Spanish communities. Currently, optical photometry, spectroscopy and polarimetry and infrared photometry are offered with instruments and a software environment that are capable of sampling timescales from ~10 milliseconds to ~10 years. A continuous programme of instrument upgrades has been aggressively pursued throughout the last decade. This has kept the facility competitive and ensures its position at the forefront of time domain astronomy for at least the next five years.
This application is for an STFC contribution over the period Oct 2016- Mar 2017 to the funding for the maintenance and operation of the Liverpool Telescope, and hence the continuation of its role as a major resource both for the LJMU Astrophysics Research Institute and the wider UK community.
Planned Impact
LT has a long tradition of strong industrial engagement. The initial build of the telescope was based around the establishment of a spinout company (TTL, Telescope Technologies Ltd) which was subsequently sold in 2005 to an ex-Google employee to build a global network of small (0.4 and 1 metre) robotic telescopes.
The project has ongoing strong links with a number of local engineering companies. Much of the precision engineering required for LT instrumentation is done in collaboration with the SME engineering firm "Senar". Through the Liverpool Telescope project Senar were contracted by the university-owned company TTL to build several parts for the telescope, causing the company to upgrade its skills and machinery to deliver the high precision needed for astronomical instrumentation. The contract safeguarded a number of jobs at the time and the company received a grant from MAS (Manufacturing Institute, via the local council organization Wirral Direct) for the purchase of a new, more accurate, CNC lathe for precision machining. Their ongoing work for LT also features as part of their advertising, using the telescope as an example of a high-profile/high-technology client. Their reputation in precision engineering for astronomical applications over the past 10 years has led to contracts with other international observatories (e.g., the new WHT Auxiliary camera and a potential WEAVE contract) and with CERN, producing the chain links that carry cooling pipes and electrical cables for the LHC. This activity contributed to the rating of ARI impact in the 2nd quartile in REF2014.
Skills and knowledge transfer are furthered by the direct involvement of students (undergraduate and postgraduate) in development projects. The LT team has consistently included undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students in instrument and software design and development with these projects forming the basis of several PhD theses. Most of these students have left academic research for wider industry.
LT has also had success in licensing software and hardware developed for the telescope to the Faulkes/LCOGT organization. License income of £160k plus telescope time worth an additional £180k on the LCO telescopes has been received by LJMU from this activity.
LT is a focus for a significant fraction of the extensive Public Engagement programme at ARI. As well as many talks and workshops to schools and the general public (e.g. in 2012/13 over 150 talks to over 10,000 people were given based on the LT) the LT is also key to the success of a suite of Distance Learning courses in Astronomy that attract around 200 students a year, many of whom have little or no prior experience of Higher Education.
The LT is also an important element in the Spaceport visitor attraction on the banks of the river Mersey. The attraction regularly exceeds visitor number predictions (currently at around 70,000 per year) and brings considerable income into a regeneration area. Using the standard STEAM model (Digest of Tourism Statistics, Dec. 2009 - The Mersey Partnership) for determining the economic benefits of tourism in the City Region for day visitors, this equates to a net gain of more than £2m per year. Spaceport also contributed towards the success of Mersey Ferries being ranked 1st in the City Region in 2008 - when Liverpool was European Capital of Culture - for a paid tourist attraction and an independent MORI Poll from 2006 found that 97% of visitors to Spaceport were either satisfied or very satisfied with their visit. Due to this success, the original targets for the regeneration have been met or exceeded. These include the creation of an estimated 50 new jobs, both direct and indirect, which equates to a gross value added of £1.4m pa to the City Region.
LT is the key resource of the National Schools Observatory, which has delivered over 100,000 unique observations to over 2,500 UK and Irish schools and over 1,000,000 website hits/year.
The project has ongoing strong links with a number of local engineering companies. Much of the precision engineering required for LT instrumentation is done in collaboration with the SME engineering firm "Senar". Through the Liverpool Telescope project Senar were contracted by the university-owned company TTL to build several parts for the telescope, causing the company to upgrade its skills and machinery to deliver the high precision needed for astronomical instrumentation. The contract safeguarded a number of jobs at the time and the company received a grant from MAS (Manufacturing Institute, via the local council organization Wirral Direct) for the purchase of a new, more accurate, CNC lathe for precision machining. Their ongoing work for LT also features as part of their advertising, using the telescope as an example of a high-profile/high-technology client. Their reputation in precision engineering for astronomical applications over the past 10 years has led to contracts with other international observatories (e.g., the new WHT Auxiliary camera and a potential WEAVE contract) and with CERN, producing the chain links that carry cooling pipes and electrical cables for the LHC. This activity contributed to the rating of ARI impact in the 2nd quartile in REF2014.
Skills and knowledge transfer are furthered by the direct involvement of students (undergraduate and postgraduate) in development projects. The LT team has consistently included undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students in instrument and software design and development with these projects forming the basis of several PhD theses. Most of these students have left academic research for wider industry.
LT has also had success in licensing software and hardware developed for the telescope to the Faulkes/LCOGT organization. License income of £160k plus telescope time worth an additional £180k on the LCO telescopes has been received by LJMU from this activity.
LT is a focus for a significant fraction of the extensive Public Engagement programme at ARI. As well as many talks and workshops to schools and the general public (e.g. in 2012/13 over 150 talks to over 10,000 people were given based on the LT) the LT is also key to the success of a suite of Distance Learning courses in Astronomy that attract around 200 students a year, many of whom have little or no prior experience of Higher Education.
The LT is also an important element in the Spaceport visitor attraction on the banks of the river Mersey. The attraction regularly exceeds visitor number predictions (currently at around 70,000 per year) and brings considerable income into a regeneration area. Using the standard STEAM model (Digest of Tourism Statistics, Dec. 2009 - The Mersey Partnership) for determining the economic benefits of tourism in the City Region for day visitors, this equates to a net gain of more than £2m per year. Spaceport also contributed towards the success of Mersey Ferries being ranked 1st in the City Region in 2008 - when Liverpool was European Capital of Culture - for a paid tourist attraction and an independent MORI Poll from 2006 found that 97% of visitors to Spaceport were either satisfied or very satisfied with their visit. Due to this success, the original targets for the regeneration have been met or exceeded. These include the creation of an estimated 50 new jobs, both direct and indirect, which equates to a gross value added of £1.4m pa to the City Region.
LT is the key resource of the National Schools Observatory, which has delivered over 100,000 unique observations to over 2,500 UK and Irish schools and over 1,000,000 website hits/year.
Organisations
- Liverpool John Moores University (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- University of Ljubljana (Collaboration)
- European Space Agency (Collaboration)
- National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Collaboration)
- Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF) (Collaboration)
- Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) (Collaboration)
- QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST (Collaboration)
- University of Turku (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
Publications
Henderson C
(2016)
Campaign 9 of the K2 Mission: Observational Parameters, Scientific Drivers, and Community Involvement for a Simultaneous Space- and Ground-based Microlensing Survey
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Tartaglia L
(2016)
Interacting supernovae and supernova impostors. LSQ13zm: an outburst heralds the death of a massive star
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Abbott BP
(2016)
Prospects for Observing and Localizing Gravitational-Wave Transients with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo.
in Living reviews in relativity
Larionov V
(2016)
Exceptional outburst of the blazar CTA 102 in 2012: the GASP-WEBT campaign and its extension
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barros S
(2016)
WASP-113b and WASP-114b, two inflated hot Jupiters with contrasting densities
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Shvartzvald Y
(2016)
THE FIRST SIMULTANEOUS MICROLENSING OBSERVATIONS BY TWO SPACE TELESCOPES: SPITZER AND SWIFT REVEAL A BROWN DWARF IN EVENT OGLE-2015-BLG-1319
in The Astrophysical Journal
Poleski R
(2016)
THE SPITZER MICROLENSING PROGRAM AS A PROBE FOR GLOBULAR CLUSTER PLANETS: ANALYSIS OF OGLE-2015-BLG-0448
in The Astrophysical Journal
Street R
(2016)
SPITZER PARALLAX OF OGLE-2015-BLG-0966: A COLD NEPTUNE IN THE GALACTIC DISK
in The Astrophysical Journal
Mocnik T
(2016)
STARSPOTS ON WASP-85
in The Astronomical Journal
Bentz M
(2016)
A REVERBERATION-BASED BLACK HOLE MASS FOR MCG-06-30-15
in The Astrophysical Journal
Polshaw J
(2016)
LSQ13fn: A type II-Plateau supernova with a possibly low metallicity progenitor that breaks the standardised candle relation
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kato M
(2016)
X-RAY FLASHES IN RECURRENT NOVAE: M31N 2008-12a AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE SWIFT NONDETECTION
in The Astrophysical Journal
Zhu (??) W
(2016)
MASS MEASUREMENTS OF ISOLATED OBJECTS FROM SPACE-BASED MICROLENSING
in The Astrophysical Journal
Goicoechea L
(2016)
Gravitational lens system SDSS J1339+1310: microlensing factory and time delay
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ho W
(2017)
Multiwavelength monitoring and X-ray brightening of Be X-ray binary PSR J2032+4127/MT91 213 on its approach to periastron
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Steele I
(2017)
Polarimetry and Photometry of Gamma-Ray Bursts with RINGO2
in The Astrophysical Journal
Fraija N
(2017)
Modeling the High-energy Emission in GRB 110721A and Implications on the Early Multiwavelength and Polarimetric Observations
in The Astrophysical Journal
Miles-Páez P
(2017)
Rotation periods and photometric variability of rapidly rotating ultracool dwarfs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Patra K
(2017)
The Apparently Decaying Orbit of WASP-12b
in The Astronomical Journal
Lam K
(2017)
From dense hot Jupiter to low-density Neptune: The discovery of WASP-127b, WASP-136b, and WASP-138b
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rattenbury N
(2017)
Faint-source-star planetary microlensing: the discovery of the cold gas-giant planet OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Magee M
(2017)
Growing evidence that SNe Iax are not a one-parameter family The case of PS1-12bwh
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Alexander K
(2017)
A Reverse Shock and Unusual Radio Properties in GRB 160625B
in The Astrophysical Journal
Yu H
(2017)
Probing extra dimension through gravitational wave observations of compact binaries and their electromagnetic counterparts
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Gillon M
(2017)
Seven temperate terrestrial planets around the nearby ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1.
in Nature
Ahnen M
(2017)
Multiwavelength observations of a VHE gamma-ray flare from PKS 1510-089 in 2015
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Edelson R
(2017)
Swift Monitoring of NGC 4151: Evidence for a Second X-Ray/UV Reprocessing
in The Astrophysical Journal
Raiteri CM
(2017)
Blazar spectral variability as explained by a twisted inhomogeneous jet.
in Nature
Corsi A
(2017)
iPTF17cw: An Engine-driven Supernova Candidate Discovered Independent of a Gamma-Ray Trigger
in The Astrophysical Journal
Shalyapin V
(2017)
Doubly Imaged Quasar SDSS J1515+1511: Time Delay and Lensing Galaxies
in The Astrophysical Journal
Spoto F
(2017)
Ground-based astrometry calibrated by Gaia DR1: new perspectives in asteroid orbit determination
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Gomez E
(2017)
Robotic telescopes in education
in Astronomical Review
Melandri A
(2017)
Colour variations in the GRB 120327A afterglow
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wei J
(2017)
Multimessenger tests of the weak equivalence principle from GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterparts
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Ryu Y
(2017)
OGLE-2016-BLG-1190Lb: The First Spitzer Bulge Planet Lies Near the Planet/Brown-dwarf Boundary
in The Astronomical Journal
Lipunov V
(2017)
MASTER OT J004207.99+405501.1/M31LRN 2015 luminous red nova in M31: discovery, light curve, hydrodynamics and evolution
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Garai Z
(2017)
Affordable echelle spectroscopy of the eccentric HAT-P-2, WASP-14, and XO-3 planetary systems with a sub-meter-class telescope
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Bérard D
(2017)
The Structure of Chariklo's Rings from Stellar Occultations
in The Astronomical Journal
Roettenbacher R
(2017)
The Stellar Activity of TRAPPIST-1 and Consequences for the Planetary Atmospheres
in The Astrophysical Journal
Inserra C
(2017)
Complexity in the light curves and spectra of slow-evolving superluminous supernovae
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chen T
(2017)
The evolution of superluminous supernova LSQ14mo and its interacting host galaxy system
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Wang T
(2017)
Ground-based Parallax Confirmed by Spitzer: Binary Microlensing Event MOA-2015-BLG-020
in The Astrophysical Journal
Darnley M
(2017)
No Neon, but Jets in the Remarkable Recurrent Nova M31N 2008-12a?-Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopy of the 2015 Eruption
in The Astrophysical Journal
Ricci D
(2017)
Multi-filter Transit Observations of HAT-P-3b and TrES-3b with Multiple Northern Hemisphere Telescopes
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Snodgrass C
(2017)
The 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko observation campaign in support of the Rosetta mission.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Jiang JA
(2017)
A hybrid type Ia supernova with an early flash triggered by helium-shell detonation.
in Nature
Mackebrandt F
(2017)
Transmission spectroscopy of the hot Jupiter TrES-3 b: Disproof of an overly large Rayleigh-like feature
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Shivvers I
(2017)
The nearby Type Ibn supernova 2015G: signatures of asymmetry and progenitor constraints
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kankare E
(2017)
A population of highly energetic transient events in the centres of active galaxies
in Nature Astronomy
Williams S
(2017)
Multiwavelength observations of the 2015 nova in the Local Group irregular dwarf galaxy IC 1613
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | National Schools Observatory providing access to UK and Ireland schoolchildren. |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Title | robotic astronomy |
Description | procedures, hardware and software systems for the automation of astronomical observations. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | widespread adoption of robotic observing |
URL | https://telescope.livjm.ac.uk/ |
Description | Collaboration with Isaac Newton Group |
Organisation | Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Joint development of detector systems |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in operations and use |
Impact | Development in ongoing, with completion of the new system due in 2018. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Collaboration with NARIT (Thailand) |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Expertise in software and electronics for the control and readout of rapid imaging systems. Expertise in telescope and instrument optical, mechanical and control design. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in astronomical instrumentation and telescope development. |
Impact | Collaboration in development of astrophysical instrumentation, control software. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Collaboration with University of Oxford |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Scientific Expertise, Access to telescope time |
Collaborator Contribution | Scientific Expertise, Financial Contribution |
Impact | Collaboration on followup of LOFAR radio transients starting in early 2014. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | ESA Gaia Support |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Country | France |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Telescope time, observation management and data reduction in support of the tracking of the Gaia satellite via optical means. |
Collaborator Contribution | Target Position Information, Data Analysis |
Impact | Ongoing project - wast initially test programme prior to satellite launch in September 2013, after became ongoing commercial contract with ESA renewed annually |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | FRODOSpec |
Organisation | University of Southampton |
Department | Physics and Astronomy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Funding and effort to develop a dual beam spectrograph for the Liverpool Telescope using optical fibre and VPH technology. Ongoing joint exploitation. |
Collaborator Contribution | Funding contribution and scientific input to the spectrograph design. Ongoing joint exploitation. |
Impact | The FRODOSpec instrument itself. Scientific publications. |
Description | Joint GRB Programme |
Organisation | University of Ljubljana |
Department | Faculty of Mathematics and Physics |
Country | Slovenia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Telescope time, data analysis, software development, scientific expertise |
Collaborator Contribution | Funding, scientific expertise. |
Impact | 17 joint scientific publications. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | RINGO Blazar Group |
Organisation | Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF) |
Department | Institute of Cosmology, Relativity and Astrophysics (ICRA) |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I was then responsible for analysing this data and lead-writing a paper about the results. I also reduced and calibrated the second set of data from the newest instrument. I have also presented work on behalf of the group at international and national meetings. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of one set of data was done by collaborators, along with contributing additional data to fill in gaps. The collaborators initiated the monitoring campaign. |
Impact | Successful applications for ~260 hours of telescope time as a team, submitted a paper to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (currently being reviewed). |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | RINGO Blazar Group |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I was then responsible for analysing this data and lead-writing a paper about the results. I also reduced and calibrated the second set of data from the newest instrument. I have also presented work on behalf of the group at international and national meetings. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of one set of data was done by collaborators, along with contributing additional data to fill in gaps. The collaborators initiated the monitoring campaign. |
Impact | Successful applications for ~260 hours of telescope time as a team, submitted a paper to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (currently being reviewed). |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | RINGO Blazar Group |
Organisation | University of Turku |
Country | Finland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I was then responsible for analysing this data and lead-writing a paper about the results. I also reduced and calibrated the second set of data from the newest instrument. I have also presented work on behalf of the group at international and national meetings. |
Collaborator Contribution | Analysis of one set of data was done by collaborators, along with contributing additional data to fill in gaps. The collaborators initiated the monitoring campaign. |
Impact | Successful applications for ~260 hours of telescope time as a team, submitted a paper to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (currently being reviewed). |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | RISE |
Organisation | Queen's University Belfast |
Department | School of Mathematics and Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Design of a new fast-timing camera for the Liverpool Telescope, integration and operation. Joint scientific exploitation. |
Collaborator Contribution | Funding of hardware. Software development. Joint scientific Exploitation. |
Impact | The RISE instrument. 17 scientific publications. |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | National Schools Observatory |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Over 100,000 Liverpool Telescope observations delivered into over 2,500 schools in the UK, with supporting curricular material etc. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk |