FlyEye Ground-Based Telescope: Unveiling New Frontiers in Astronomical Science

TL;DR

The FlyEye telescope, with its innovative multi-channel design and wide field of view, enhances the detection of near-Earth objects and transient phenomena, promising to revolutionize time-domain astronomy and sky surveys.

Contribution

This paper introduces the FlyEye ground-based telescope, a novel multi-channel system with a 44 square degree field of view for advanced astronomical surveys.

Findings

Detects NEOs down to magnitude 21.5

Surveys two-thirds of the visible sky thrice per night

Enables comprehensive studies of transient phenomena

Abstract

The FlyEye design makes its debut in the ESA's NEOSTEL developed by OHB-Italia. This pioneering FlyEye telescope integrates a monolithic 1-meter class primary mirror feeding 16 CCD cameras for discovering Near-Earth Object (NEO) and any class of transient phenomena. OHB-Italia is the prime contractor, receiving extended support from the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) in the ESA's NEOSTED program's integration and testing. The FlyEye distinctive design splits the Field of View into 16 channels, creating a unique multi-telescope system with a panoramic 44 square degree Field of View and a seeing-size pixel-scale, enabling NEOs detection down to apparent magnitudes 21.5 insisting on a 1m diameter spherical mirror. The scientific products of a similar FlyEye telescope can complement facilities such as Vera Rubin (former LSST) and ZTF. The FlyEye has the ability to survey two-thirds of the visible sky about three times per night can revolutionize time-domain astronomy, enabling comprehensive studies of transient phenomena, placing FlyEye in a new era of exploration of the dynamic universe. Efforts to develop automated calibration and testing procedures are keys to realizing this transformative potential.