GOTO (telescope array)

For the type of computer-controlled telescope mounts, see GoTo (telescopes).
GOTO
GOTO-N with both domes open.
GOTO-N with both domes open.
Alternative namesGravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer Edit this at Wikidata
Part ofRoque de los Muchachos Observatory
Siding Spring Observatory Edit this on Wikidata
Wavelength420 nm (710 THz)–685 nm (438 THz)
First lightJune 2017 (2017-06)
Telescope styleNewtonian
Number of telescopes32 Edit this on Wikidata
Diameter400 mm (1 ft 4 in) Edit this at Wikidata
Angular resolution0.31 arcsecond Edit this on Wikidata
Collecting area0.4m2 per unit telescope, 3.2m2 per system, 12.8m2 total.
Focal length960mm (f/2.4)
MountingEquatorial
Websitegoto-observatory.org
[edit on Wikidata]

The Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) is an array of robotic optical telescopes optimized for the discovery of optical counterparts to gravitational wave events[1] and other multi-messenger signals. The array consists of a network of telescope systems, with each system consisting of eight 0.4m telescopes on a single mounting.[2]

As of May 2023 the network consists of two sites, each with two systems. GOTO-N (North) located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) on the island of La Palma, Spain[3] and GOTO-S (South) located at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO), Australia.[4]

The project is run by an international consortium of universities and other research institutes, including the University of Warwick, Monash University, the University of Sheffield, the University of Leicester, Armagh Observatory, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, the University of Portsmouth, and the University of Turku.[5]

  1. ^ "Neutron stars: New telescope detects dead suns colliding". BBC News. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ Dyer, Martin J.; Steeghs, Danny; Galloway, Duncan K.; Dhillon, Vik S.; O'Brien, Paul; Ramsay, Gavin; Noysena, Kanthanakorn; Pallé, Enric; Kotak, Rubina; Breton, Rene; Nuttall, Laura; Pollacco, Don; Ulaczyk, Krzysztof; Lyman, Joseph; Ackley, Kendall D. (13 December 2020). "The Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO)". In Marshall, Heather K.; Spyromilio, Jason; Usuda, Tomonori (eds.). Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes VIII. Vol. 11445. SPIE. pp. 1355–1362. arXiv:2012.02685. Bibcode:2020SPIE11445E..7GD. doi:10.1117/12.2561008. ISBN 978-1-5106-3677-4. S2CID 216906754.
  3. ^ "GOTO, a new robotic telescope for the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory". Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias • IAC. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  4. ^ Yazgin, Evrim (7 July 2022). "New telescopes in Australia to help find gravitational waves". cosmosmagazine.com. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ^ Steeghs, Danny (2017-11-02). "Chasing light from the crest of a wave". Nature Astronomy. 1 (11): 741. Bibcode:2017NatAs...1..741S. doi:10.1038/s41550-017-0317-8. ISSN 2397-3366.