The Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO): prototype performance and prospects for transient science

TL;DR

GOTO is a wide-field optical telescope array designed for rapid response to gravitational wave events and transient surveys, with a prototype demonstrating promising performance and potential for multi-messenger astronomy.

Contribution

This paper reports the deployment and performance of the GOTO prototype, providing insights for the design of the full 32-telescope array and its scientific capabilities.

Findings

Prototype hardware performed well in commissioning tests.

Design insights inform the final GOTO array configuration.

Initial science prospects are promising for multi-messenger transient detection.

Abstract

The Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) is an array of wide-field optical telescopes, designed to exploit new discoveries from the next generation of gravitational wave detectors (LIGO, Virgo, KAGRA), study rapidly evolving transients, and exploit multi-messenger opportunities arising from neutrino and very high energy gamma-ray triggers. In addition to a rapid response mode, the array will also perform a sensitive, all-sky transient survey with few day cadence. The facility features a novel, modular design with multiple 40-cm wide-field reflectors on a single mount. In June 2017 the GOTO collaboration deployed the initial project prototype, with 4 telescope units, at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM), La Palma, Canary Islands. Here we describe the deployment, commissioning, and performance of the prototype hardware, and discuss the impact of these findings on the final GOTO design. We also offer an initial assessment of the science prospects for the full GOTO facility that employs 32 telescope units across two sites.