The GRANDMA network in preparation for the fourth gravitational-wave observing run

Abstract

GRANDMA is a world-wide collaboration with the primary scientific goal of studying gravitational-wave sources, discovering their electromagnetic counterparts and characterizing their emission. GRANDMA involves astronomers, astrophysicists, gravitational-wave physicists, and theorists. GRANDMA is now a truly global network of telescopes, with (so far) 30 telescopes in both hemispheres. It incorporates a citizen science programme (Kilonova-Catcher) which constitutes an opportunity to spread the interest in time-domain astronomy. The telescope network is an heterogeneous set of already-existing observing facilities that operate coordinated as a single observatory. Within the network there are wide-field imagers that can observe large areas of the sky to search for optical counterparts, narrow-field instruments that do targeted searches within a predefined list of host-galaxy candidates, and larger telescopes that are devoted to characterization and follow-up of the identified counterparts. Here we present an overview of GRANDMA after the third observing run of the LIGO/VIRGO gravitational-wave observatories in 2019 − 2020 and its ongoing preparation for the forthcoming fourth observational campaign (O4). Additionally, we review the potential of GRANDMA for the discovery and follow-up of other types of astronomical transients.

Deep Sky Objects Detection with Deep Learning for Electronically Assisted Astronomy

“…Simultaneous use of a network of smart telescopes can contribute to the study of asteroids and even exoplanets [12]. Within the Kilonova-Catcher program (KNC), images collected by citizens can support reearch about gravitational waves [13,14]. For many years, American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) allows everyone to participate to variable stars discovery [15].…”

“…When we set a date for an outreach event, we obviously have no guarantee of the weather conditions. To have a fallback option in case of a cloudy night, we have recorded videos to show how observations are made with a smart telescope 14 . It also allows us to share our results with people who can't be there for the events -including captured images [28].…”

Astronomical seeing at Maidanak Observatory with differential image motion monitor

“…2 These include blazars, gravitationally lensed systems, gamma ray bursts, variable stars, supernovae, exoplanets, minor planets, and electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational wave candidates. [3][4][5][6] The previous period of intensive studies of the atmospheric turbulence and meteorology of the Maidanak Observatory in Uzbekistan was the period of 1996 to 2003. 7 Various parameters of the atmosphere that influence astronomical image quality in optics were studied.…”