U.S. Community Access to the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network - A Time-Domain Follow-up System

该奖项将在3.5年内向美国天文学界提供拉斯坎布雷全球天文台(LCOGT)光学望远镜网络。该网络包括两个2M望远镜，9-12个1M望远镜，以及世界各地多个地点的许多0.4M望远镜。这项工作的更广泛影响包括对学生和博士后的培训，以及公众宣传。LCOGT为许多天文教育项目提供望远镜时间和其他资源，包括福克斯望远镜项目、国际天文搜索合作项目、动手宇宙、宇宙意识、课堂上的宇宙、伽利略教师培训计划、天文学家无国界组织、我们的太阳兄弟姐妹和天体因素。观测时间将分7个学期提供，2M望远镜214小时/学期，1M望远镜1287小时/学期，以及一些社区参与关键项目。该设施的独特功能包括连续监测(24小时/天)、灵活的节奏、长期稳定的观测和快速的机会目标响应。这些望远镜的使用将允许美国社区开展有趣的个别项目，加强其他望远镜正在进行的调查，并为NSF的大型天气观测望远镜(目前正在建设中)提供准备机会。

This award will make the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) network of optical telescopes available to the US astronomical community over a period of 3.5 years. The network consists of two 2m telescopes, 9-12 1m telescopes, and many 0.4m telescopes at multiple locations around the world. Broader impacts of the work include training of students and postdocs, and public outreach. LCOGT provides telescope time and other resources for many astronomy education programs, including the Faulkes Telescope Project, the International Astronomical Search Collaboration, Hands On Universe, Universe Awareness, Universe in the Classroom, Galileo Teacher Training Program, Astronomers without Borders, Our Solar Siblings, and Astrofactum.Observing time will be made available over 7 semesters, with 214 hours/semester on the 2m telescopes and 1287 hours/semester on the 1m telescopes, plus some community involvement in key projects. Unique capabilities of the facility include continuous monitoring (24H/day), flexible cadence, long-term stable observations, and rapid target-of-opportunity response. Access to the telescopes will allow interesting individual projects to be conducted by the US community, enhance on-going surveys at other telescopes, and provide opportunities to prepare for NSF's Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (currently under construction).