GOTO (telescope array)
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 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.
GOTO-N with both domes open at sunset. | |
| Alternative names | Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer |
|---|---|
| Part of | Roque de los Muchachos Observatory Siding Spring Observatory |
| Wavelength | 420 nm (710 THz)–685 nm (438 THz) |
| First light | June 2017 |
| Telescope style | Newtonian |
| Number of telescopes | 32 |
| Diameter | 400 mm (1 ft 4 in) |
| Angular resolution | 0.31 arcsecond |
| Collecting area | 0.4m2 per unit telescope, 3.2m2 per system, 12.8m2 total. |
| Focal length | 960mm (f/2.4) |
| Mounting | Equatorial |
| Website | goto-observatory.org |
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 and GOTO-S (South) located at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO), Australia.
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.