LIMIT Overview

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Brief introduction of Lulin Observatory and Super Light Telescope

The NCU (National Central University) Lulin Observatory is located at Mt. Front Lulin, 120 52' 25" E and 23 28' 07" N, a 2862-m peak in the Yushan National Park. The construction of Lulin Observatory was finished on January 14, 1999. The initial study of Lulin site was started since late 1989. Later on, a three-year project was founded by the National Science Council (NSC) to support the development of a modern seeing monitor for this site survey study from 1990 through 1993. The average seeing of Lulin site is about 1.39 arc-second with average 200 clear nights annually. The sky background of this site is 20.72 mag/arcsec^2 in V band and 21.22 mag/arcsec^2 in B band. (Reference: Lulin Observatory)

Lulin Minor Bodies Tracking uses the 0.41-m (16-inch) f/8.8 Ritchey-Chrétien telescope (also called Super Light Telescope) for observing, but sometimes it also uses the Lulin One-meter Telescope (LOT) for NEO or new comet follow-up purpose. The Ritchey-Chrétien telescope manufactured by RC Optical Systems (RCOS). With the instrument of Apogee Alas U42 back-illuminated CCD, and focal reducer installed, the field-of-view (FOV) is about 38' x 38'.

Right: Bird view of Lulin Observatory, LOT dome on lower-left and SLT dome on right.

 Lulin Observatory

Normal operation flow

1. Preparation

1.1 Both side get in communication and check weather condition.

1.2 Quanzhi prepares the observing list for then night around 10-11hUT, and transfer the list to then-observer.

1.3 Meanwhile, the then-observer at Lulin Observatory load the SLT system in position.

2. Observing flow

2.1 Doing Searching Field 1 (SF1) and revisit the specific sky region in 10-20 minutes three or four times, depending the observing mode.

2.2 Finish doing SF1 and save the data to share disk.

2.3 Meanwhile, Quanzhi keep on the track until approaching his own bed-time.

2.4 Continue doing the list until dawn.

2.5 After finishing observing tour, check all the observations and do reductions.

2.6 Observer goes to bed.

3. Processing flow

3.1 Quanzhi gets up and accesses the share disk, check and download the observations.

3.2 Load the observations into automatic processing program and starts processing routine.

3.3 Reviewing the candidates and preparing the MPC report.

3.4 Send the report to MPC, and prepare for next night's flow.

Software in use

  • The Sky 6
  • Use for telescope and CCD monitoring.
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  • PinPoint 4
  • Use for reductions and observations processing.
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  • Astrometrica
  • Use for manual measurements.
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  • FindORB
  • Use for orbital computations.
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  • LUSS Plan Master
  • Developed by Quanzhi, use for observing list customizing and SKYCOV list producing.
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  • Minor Planet Package
  • Use for statistics analyzing. Developed by Quanzhi.
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  • Minor Planet Observer
  • Use for photometry purpose.
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  • Minor Planet Cruiser
  • Under developing. It would be a powerful package that handle every angle of the survey.
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    • (c) Copyright 2006-2007 Lulin Minor Bodies Tracking (LIMIT)

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