Telescopes; Minor planets, asteroids: general; Astrometry; Methods: data analysis; Techniques: image processing; Techniques: photometric
Abstract :
[en] The International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) project was motivated by the need for an inexpensive 4-metre diameter optical telescope that could be devoted entirely to astronomical surveys. Its scientific programs include the detection and study of transients, variable objects, asteroids, comets, space debris and low surface brightness galaxies.
To this end, a collaboration was formed between the Institute of Astrophysics and Geophysics (Liège University, Belgium), several Canadian astronomical institutes (University of British Columbia, Laval University, University of Montreal, University of Toronto, York University, University of Victoria) and the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES, India). After several years of design work in Belgium and construction in India on the ARIES Devasthal site, the telescope saw its first light on 29 April 2022. Its commissioning phase lasted from May 2022 until June 2023 (beginning of the monsoon). The ILMT was inaugurated on 21 March 2023 and has been in regular operation since October 2023. The telescope continuously observes the sky passing at the zenith using the SDSS g ′ , r′
and i′ filters. This paper describes the ILMT, its operation, performance and shows some initial results.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Filali, Sara ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR)
Pranshu, Kumar; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India ; University of Calcutta, 87/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
Surdej, Jean ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) ; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India
Pospieszalska, Anna ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Optique - Hololab
Hickson, Paul; Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada, hickson@physics.ubc.ca ; Outer Space Institute, The University of British Columbia, 325-6224 Agricultural Rd., Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Misra, Kuntal; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India
Akhunov, Talat; National University of Uzbekistan, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 100174 Tashkent, Uzbekistan ; Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, Astronomicheskaya 33, 100052 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Ailawadhi, Bhavya; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India ; Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, Civil Lines, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, 273009, India
Dubey, Monalisa; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India ; Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Pilibhit Bypass Road, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243006, India
Dukiya, Naveen; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India ; Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Pilibhit Bypass Road, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243006, India
Kumar, Brajesh; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India ; South-Western Institute for Astronomy Research, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, P. R. China
Negi, Vibhore; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India ; University of Calcutta, 87/1 College Street, Kolkata, 700073, India
Kharayat, Manisha; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India
Kumari, Priyanshi; Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263001, India
