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Post Info TOPIC: 'Super-LOTIS' Telescope


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Title: The Robotic Super-LOTIS Telescope: Results & Future Plans
Authors: G. G. Williams, P. A. Milne, H. S. Park, S. D. Barthelmy, D. H. Hartmann, A. Updike, K. Hurley

We provide an overview of the robotic Super-LOTIS (Livermore Optical Transient Imaging System) telescope and present results from gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow observations using Super-LOTIS and other Steward Observatory telescopes. The 0.6-m Super-LOTIS telescope is a fully robotic system dedicated to the measurement of prompt and early time optical emission from GRBs. The system began routine operations from its Steward Observatory site atop Kitt Peak in April 2000 and currently operates every clear night. The telescope is instrumented with an optical CCD camera and a four position filter wheel. It is capable of observing Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) error boxes as early or earlier than the Swift UV/Optical Telescope (UVOT). Super-LOTIS complements the UVOT observations by providing early R- and I-band imaging. We also use the suite of Steward Observatory telescopes including the 1.6-m Kuiper, the 2.3-m Bok, the 6.5-m MMT, and the 8.4-m Large Binocular Telescope to perform follow-up optical and near infrared observations of GRB afterglows. These follow-up observations have traditionally required human intervention but we are currently working to automate the 1.6-m Kuiper telescope to minimise its response time.

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'Super-LOTIS' Telescope on Kitt Peak Helps Catch Exploding Stars
University of Arizona astronomers are using NASA's Swift satellite and the Kitt Peak telescope called "Super-LOTIS" to see stars almost as they explode.

Until very recently, astronomers saw supernovae explosions after a lag time of days or weeks. And until very recently, they didn't see the fast-fading X-ray emission or ultraviolet light that comes with these cosmic blasts.

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