Ukrainian Synchronous Network of small Internet Telescopes as rapid action instrument for transient objects

TL;DR

The paper introduces UNIT, a network of automated small telescopes in Ukraine designed for rapid detection and observation of transient astronomical events, capable of quick response and high-frequency imaging.

Contribution

It presents the design, capabilities, and operational plans of the UNIT system, a novel synchronized network of small telescopes for real-time transient object monitoring.

Findings

System sensitive down to magnitude 18

First images obtained within 60 seconds of alert

Capable of studying astrophysical phenomena on tens Hz timescales

Abstract

UNIT (The Ukrainian synchronous Network of small Internet Telescopes) is a system of automated telescopes that search for simultaneous optical activity of transient objects associated with variable stars, small bodies of the Solar system, Near-Earth objects (NEOs), gamma ray bursts, etc. Their instruments are sensitive down to $M_{V} \approx 18$ and require an average of 60 seconds to obtain the first images of the transient events after the alarm or GCN notice. Telescopes of UNIT are equipped with fast CCD cameras to study astrophysics on the timescales up to tens Hz. UNIT will be operating by the middle of 2008.