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

该奖项将使拉斯康布雷斯天文台（LCO）的全球光学望远镜网络在3年内可供美国天文学界使用。该网络由两台2米望远镜、11台1米望远镜和10台0.4米望远镜组成，分布在世界各地。这项工作的更广泛影响包括学生和博士后研究员的培训以及公众宣传。除了为科学家提供独特的资源外，LCO还经营着一个充满活力的教育项目。LCO降低了科学和教育观察员的门槛。世界上任何地方都可以通过批准的观测程序和互联网进行观测。该奖项通过LCO与多信使天体物理学的强烈相关性推进了宇宙大理念之窗的目标。观测时间将分为6个学期，200米望远镜每学期200学时，100米望远镜每学期1250学时，加上社区参与的重点项目。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目标机会响应。使用这些望远镜将允许美国社区开展有趣的个人项目，加强其他望远镜正在进行的调查，并为美国国家科学基金会维拉鲁宾天文台的发现提供后续机会。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award will make the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) global network of optical telescopes available to the US astronomical community over a period of 3 years. The network consists of two 2m telescopes, eleven 1m telescopes, and ten 0.4m telescopes at multiple locations around the world. Broader impacts of the work include student and postdoctoral researcher training as well as public outreach. In addition to providing unique resources to scientists, LCO runs a vibrant education program. LCO lowers barriers for both science and education observers. Observations can be requested from anywhere in world with an approved observing program and access to the internet. This award advances the goals of the Windows on the Universe Big Idea via LCO’s strong relevance to Multi-Messenger Astrophysics. Observing time will be made available over 6 semesters, with 200 hours/semester on the 2m telescopes and 1250 hours/semester on the 1m telescopes, plus 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 follow-up opportunities for discoveries by NSF's Vera Rubin Observatory.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.