Status of Boyden observatory and equipment for optical counterpart studies of high energy sources
Authors:
- Hendrik van HeerdenHHHendrik van Heerden
- Emilio J. Fernández-GarcíaEFEmilio J. Fernández-García
- Alberto J. Castro-TiradoACAlberto J. Castro-Tirado
- Antonio Martin-CarrilloAMAntonio Martin-Carrillo
- Alberto CastellonACAlberto Castellon
- Petrus J. MeintjesPMPetrus J. Meintjes
Open Access
- 7 May 2024
- conference paper
- Published by Sissa Medialab Srl
- Vol. 459, 015
Abstract
The status of the Boyden observatory and equipment will be evaluated for use in optical counterpart studies of high energy sources. Optical systems include the 1.5~m Boyden telescope which has recently received system and equipment upgrades to the photometer, specifically a new sCMOS camera system. Additionally a state of the art spectro-polarimeter has been commissioned and is in final testing and initial observing phases. Besides the 1.5~m telescope, there is also robotic telescope systems, e.g. Watcher and BOOTES-6. Watcher, was primarily for follow-up of gamma ray bursts, but has also been used for optical counterpart and survey studies, and target-of-opportunity events. BOOTES-6, or Burst Observer and Optical Transient Exploring System, is a new telescope system that allows for much faster target acquisition for Gamma-ray bursts events, but is also available for optical studies of transient phenomena or optical counterpart studies. With these optical systems, various multi-wavelength studies and collaborative efforts are envisioned for the ObservatoryKeywords
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