SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 30th July (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Transient Survey Telescope (TST) robotic telescope, situated at the Teide Observatory of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), has commenced its scientific observations successfully. This is a 1-metre telescope capable of identifying fast objects and mapping the sky. The TST has been constructed and operated through a collaboration of public and private entities with funding from the Canary Islands.
The Transient Survey Telescope (TST) is equipped with a 1-meter primary mirror and is designed for ongoing follow-up observations, known as surveys, to spot speedy and dim objects across a vast portion of the sky, with a field of view exceeding 4 square degrees.
This modern scientific facility, situated at the Teide Observatory of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), is a locally developed project established through public-private collaboration under an agreement between the IAC and the Tenerife-based company Light Bridges, which spearheads this telescope.
The ‘first light’ of TST, which denotes its inaugural real observation, took place in the initial week of July with encouraging outcomes following tests for focusing, pointing, and tracking. The initial scientific images captured by TST involved the pursuit of asteroids to confirm their limiting magnitude and the implementation of algorithms based on artificial intelligence.
Miquel Serra-Ricart, the scientific director of Light Bridges and an affiliated researcher at IAC, emphasises that “the TST will evolve into an outstanding scientific instrument, ideal for observational projects necessitating very brief integrations and a broad field without compromising the limiting magnitude. With TST, the early discovery of near-Earth objects (frequently known by their acronym in English NEO, Near Earth Object) will be feasible, while also considering that the expansive field of TST will facilitate the detection of transient phenomena such as supernovae or optical counterparts of gamma-ray bursts.”
The main investigator of the project, Antonio Maudes, mentions that “this private initiative aligns with the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation 2021-2027. Specifically, it aims to establish mutual links between relevant scientific activities and businesses in the Canary Islands.”
Maudes, who is adept at financing projects and developing innovative business models, as well as a researcher associated with IAC, adds that “the research has enabled the formulation of incentive mechanisms that harmonise the aspirations of astronomers with the goals of diversifying the Canarian economy and promoting the internationalisation of Spanish scientific endeavours.”
The agreement between Light Bridges and IAC encompasses the installation of the TST telescope infrastructure, managing its operations and scientific utilisation; covering the relevant costs of the Common Services at the Teide Observatory; and allocating 25% of the observation time rights generated to IAC, following the guidelines of the International Treaty of Cooperation in Astrophysics of 1979.
The TST is equipped with a QHY411 camera featuring a 151 MPixel sCMOS sensor positioned at the primary focus and stands as the first wide-field telescope of its class to function at the Canary Islands Observatories.
The TST initiative has received support from the Government of the Canary Islands, the State Tax Administration Agency, the Canary Islands Special Zone Consortium, and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, alongside the backing of Cajasiete and the contributions of KPMG Asesores and the Four Law law firm, legal advisors for the project.
“The realisation of the TST would not have been possible without the confidence of public administrations and the backing of Cajasiete, combined with a courageous group of highly skilled Canarian investors who, at their own risk and expense, believed in the project from the outset,” states Gerardo Morales, the administrator of the entity that owns the telescope, The Restless Few, SL.
