Liverpool Telescope Operations 2020-2023
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool John Moores University
Department Name: Astrophysics Research Institute
Abstract
The Liverpool Telescope (LT ) (https://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 160,000 observing requests from over 4,000 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 over 1.5 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 22 such papers have appeared in the high-profile journals Nature or Science, these having on average 166 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 <1 second 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 when we plan to transition to a joint operations model with a new 4m robotic telescope.
This application is for an STFC contribution over the period 2020-2023 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 22 such papers have appeared in the high-profile journals Nature or Science, these having on average 166 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 <1 second 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 when we plan to transition to a joint operations model with a new 4m robotic telescope.
This application is for an STFC contribution over the period 2020-2023 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.
Knowledge Transfer is strongly encouraged at all levels within the University, and the ARI is pro-active in supporting staff members who seek out external partnerships. Recent projects include:
* Working with the LJMU Ecology group on a GCRF and Newton funded project to exploit imaging techniques developed in astronomy to identify animals and humans in aerial thermal-imaging video footage, overcoming a fundamental bottleneck in monitoring animal populations around the globe.
* We have undertaken a design study with QINETIQ on the feasibility of a non-GPS based geo-location device based on astronomical principles
* We have signed a contract with SAAO to build a modified version of our SPRAT spectrograph for their new 1-m Leseidi robotic telescope
* We have used an Innovate UK voucher to carry out a feasibility study on the potential of a small CubeSat instrument (based on the LOTUS design) to identify potential targets for asteroid mining and are working with a UK company to develop the business case and apply for further funding to the UK Space Agency and UK Satellite Catapult.
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 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.
LT is the key resource of the National Schools Observatory, which has delivered over 150,000 unique observations to over 4,000 UK and Irish schools and over 1,500,000 website hits/year. NSO taps into natural astronomy interest in children to further the pupil's knowledge of science and mathematics, while at the same time improve their computer literacy and communications skills, strengthen critical thinking and give experience of the real-world application of science and technology. This is done primarily by providing an interface whereby schoolchildren and their teachers throughout the UK and Ireland can request their own observations from the LT, allowing them to work alongside the research users of the telescope and gain an insight into modern science and the technology that underpins it.
Over the past 3 years LT has taken significant advantage in the opportunities for international engagement afforded by Newton and GCRF funding. We have developed a number of international, multi-disciplinary partnerships grants with both academic and industrial impact under three broad themes (Thailand, Indonesia and Astro-Ecology)
Future planned activities include:
* New Engagements with the Liverpool Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Knowledge Quarter
* Greater Engagement with Local Industry via LCR4.0
* Greater Engagement with ESA and the UK Space Catapult
* Greater Engagement with the Newton and GCRF funding opportunities
Knowledge Transfer is strongly encouraged at all levels within the University, and the ARI is pro-active in supporting staff members who seek out external partnerships. Recent projects include:
* Working with the LJMU Ecology group on a GCRF and Newton funded project to exploit imaging techniques developed in astronomy to identify animals and humans in aerial thermal-imaging video footage, overcoming a fundamental bottleneck in monitoring animal populations around the globe.
* We have undertaken a design study with QINETIQ on the feasibility of a non-GPS based geo-location device based on astronomical principles
* We have signed a contract with SAAO to build a modified version of our SPRAT spectrograph for their new 1-m Leseidi robotic telescope
* We have used an Innovate UK voucher to carry out a feasibility study on the potential of a small CubeSat instrument (based on the LOTUS design) to identify potential targets for asteroid mining and are working with a UK company to develop the business case and apply for further funding to the UK Space Agency and UK Satellite Catapult.
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 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.
LT is the key resource of the National Schools Observatory, which has delivered over 150,000 unique observations to over 4,000 UK and Irish schools and over 1,500,000 website hits/year. NSO taps into natural astronomy interest in children to further the pupil's knowledge of science and mathematics, while at the same time improve their computer literacy and communications skills, strengthen critical thinking and give experience of the real-world application of science and technology. This is done primarily by providing an interface whereby schoolchildren and their teachers throughout the UK and Ireland can request their own observations from the LT, allowing them to work alongside the research users of the telescope and gain an insight into modern science and the technology that underpins it.
Over the past 3 years LT has taken significant advantage in the opportunities for international engagement afforded by Newton and GCRF funding. We have developed a number of international, multi-disciplinary partnerships grants with both academic and industrial impact under three broad themes (Thailand, Indonesia and Astro-Ecology)
Future planned activities include:
* New Engagements with the Liverpool Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Knowledge Quarter
* Greater Engagement with Local Industry via LCR4.0
* Greater Engagement with ESA and the UK Space Catapult
* Greater Engagement with the Newton and GCRF funding opportunities
Publications
Ortiz J
(2024)
The stellar occultation by (319) Leona on 2023 September 13 in preparation for the occultation of Betelgeuse
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Neustadt J
(2024)
AGN STORM 2. VI. Mapping Temperature Fluctuations in the Accretion Disk of Mrk 817
in The Astrophysical Journal
Shrestha M
(2024)
Evidence of Weak Circumstellar Medium Interaction in the Type II SN 2023axu
in The Astrophysical Journal
Anand S
(2024)
Collapsars as Sites of r-process Nucleosynthesis: Systematic Photometric Near-infrared Follow-up of Type Ic-BL Supernovae
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abe H
(2024)
MAGIC detection of GRB 201216C at z = 1.1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
McCall C
(2024)
Detection of an intranight optical hard lag with colour variability in blazar PKS 0735+178
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Healy-Kalesh M
(2024)
On an apparent dearth of recurrent nova super-remnants in the Local Group
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Irani I
(2024)
SN 2022oqm-A Ca-rich Explosion of a Compact Progenitor Embedded in C/O Circumstellar Material
in The Astrophysical Journal
Srinivasaragavan G
(2024)
Characterizing the Ordinary Broad-line Type Ic SN 2023pel from the Energetic GRB 230812B
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Panizo-Espinar G
(2024)
The omnipresent flux-dependent optical dips of the black hole transient Swift J1357.2-0933
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hsu B
(2024)
An Extensive Hubble Space Telescope Study of the Offset and Host Light Distributions of Type I Superluminous Supernovae
in The Astrophysical Journal
Aamer A
(2024)
A precursor plateau and pre-maximum [O ii ] emission in the superluminous SN2019szu: a pulsational pair-instability candidate
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Fiore A
(2024)
Detailed spectrophotometric analysis of the superluminous and fast evolving SN 2019neq
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chen Z
(2023)
The Hydrogen-poor Superluminous Supernovae from the Zwicky Transient Facility Phase I Survey. I. Light Curves and Measurements
in The Astrophysical Journal
Sartoretti P
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 G RVS photometry from the RVS spectra
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pankov N
(2023)
Chromatic Afterglow of GRB 200829A
in Astronomy Letters
McHardy I
(2023)
First detection of the outer edge of an AGN accretion disc: very fast multiband optical variability of NGC 4395 with GTC/HiPERCAM and LT/IO:O
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Miller J
(2023)
Continuum Reverberation Mapping of Mrk 876 over Three Years with Remote Robotic Observatories
in The Astrophysical Journal
Lam M
(2023)
Automated SpectroPhotometric Image REDuction (ASPIRED)
in The Astronomical Journal
Coughlin M
(2023)
A Data Science Platform to Enable Time-domain Astronomy
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Creevey O
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 Astrophysical parameters inference system (Apsis). I. Methods and content overview
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hiramatsu D
(2023)
From Discovery to the First Month of the Type II Supernova 2023ixf: High and Variable Mass Loss in the Final Year before Explosion
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Poidevin F
(2023)
Optical polarization and spectral properties of the hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae SN 2021bnw and SN 2021fpl
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Neumann K
(2023)
The ASAS-SN bright supernova catalogue - V. 2018-2020
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Healy-Kalesh M
(2023)
On the observability of recurrent nova super-remnants
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Ferro M
(2023)
A search for the afterglows, kilonovae, and host galaxies of two short GRBs: GRB 211106A and GRB 211227A
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rommel F
(2023)
A large topographic feature on the surface of the trans-Neptunian object (307261) 2002 MS 4 measured from stellar occultations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Pierel J
(2023)
LensWatch. I. Resolved HST Observations and Constraints on the Strongly Lensed Type Ia Supernova 2022qmx ("SN Zwicky")
in The Astrophysical Journal
De Angeli F
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 Processing and validation of BP/RP low-resolution spectral data
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Steele I
(2023)
Optical polarimetry of the May 2022 lunar eclipse
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Katz D
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 Properties and validation of the radial velocities
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Patel M
(2023)
GRB 201015A and the nature of low-luminosity soft gamma-ray bursts
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
West S
(2023)
SN 2020qlb: A hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova with well-characterized light curve undulations
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Donaldson A
(2023)
Characterizing the nucleus of comet 162P/Siding Spring using ground-based photometry
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Farnocchia D
(2023)
The Second International Asteroid Warning Network Timing Campaign: 2005 LW3
in The Planetary Science Journal
Holl B
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 Gaia scan-angle-dependent signals and spurious periods
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Liu ? C
(2023)
SN 2022joj: A Peculiar Type Ia Supernova Possibly Driven by an Asymmetric Helium-shell Double Detonation
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kara E
(2023)
UV-Optical Disk Reverberation Lags despite a Faint X-Ray Corona in the Active Galactic Nucleus Mrk 335
in The Astrophysical Journal
Srinivasaragavan G
(2023)
A Sensitive Search for Supernova Emission Associated with the Extremely Energetic and Nearby GRB 221009A
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Srivastav S
(2023)
The Luminous Type Ia Supernova 2022ilv and Its Early Excess Emission
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Manser C
(2023)
DAHe white dwarfs from the DESI Survey
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Teja R
(2023)
Far-ultraviolet to Near-infrared Observations of SN 2023ixf: A High-energy Explosion Engulfed in Complex Circumstellar Material
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Tinyanont S
(2023)
Supernova 2020wnt: An Atypical Superluminous Supernova with a Hidden Central Engine
in The Astrophysical Journal
Carnerero M
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 The first Gaia catalogue of variable AGN
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ertini K
(2023)
SN 2021gno: a calcium-rich transient with double-peaked light curves
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Frémat Y
(2023)
Gaia Data Release 3 Properties of the line-broadening parameter derived with the Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS)
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Hambleton K
(2023)
Rubin Observatory LSST Transients and Variable Stars Roadmap
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Putkuri C
(2023)
The spectroscopic orbit of HD 168112 A,B in NGC 6604: another massive binary target for interferometry
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Inight K
(2023)
Cataclysmic Variables from Sloan Digital Sky Survey - V. The search for period bouncers continues
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jacobson-Galán W
(2023)
SN 2023ixf in Messier 101: Photo-ionization of Dense, Close-in Circumstellar Material in a Nearby Type II Supernova
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Title | The Cosmic Collection |
Description | The LT and NRT projects use a variety of artistic and creative products as engagement and communication tools. The 'Cosmic Collection' was a collaboration with Aloë earrings, Liverpool-based earring makers, for British Science Week in 2020. A set of earrings were designed and created based on 6 themes from the Liverpool Telescope and New Robotic Telescope: telescope mirrors, gravitational waves, jets, the moon, planetary nebulae and gravitational lenses. Thirty pairs of earrings were sold from this collection and a portion of the profits were donated to The Girls' Network: a charity providing women mentors for young women from a wide variety of backgrounds. |
Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | wider awareness of astronomy amongst young women and girls |
URL | https://www.aloeearrings.co.uk |
Title | The Liverpool Telescope - Hannah Newport painting |
Description | A painting of the Liverpool Telescope commissioned by the project team from Hannah Newport, which is used in talks and engagement materials. In addition copies of the painting are sold via the artists website. |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Impact | wider awareness of project amongst non-traditional audience for STEM. |
URL | https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/875997606/liverpool-telescope-print-a3 |
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/ |