The Near-Ultraviolet eXplorer (NUX): a ground-based wide-field near-UV telescope to search for near-UV transients

TL;DR

The NUX project introduces a ground-based, wide-field near-UV telescope array designed to detect and study fast transients like supernova shock breakouts and gravitational wave counterparts, enhancing our understanding of these energetic phenomena.

Contribution

This paper presents the design, technical feasibility, and initial testing of a novel ground-based near-UV telescope array optimized for transient detection.

Findings

Prototype telescope assembly underway

Site tests scheduled for 2025/2026 at La Silla

Demonstrated NUV optics replacement on Celestron telescopes

Abstract

We present the Near-Ultraviolet eXplorer (NUX), which will consist out of 4 small (36 cm diameter) ground-based telescopes that are optimized for the shortest wavelengths that are detectable from Earth (i.e., the near-UV [NUV] wavelength range of 300-350 nm). Each telescope will have a field-of-view of ~17 square degrees sampled at ~2.6"/pixel, and will reach a NUV magnitude (AB) of 20 in 2.5 minutes exposures (in dark time). The goal of NUX is to improve our understanding of the physical processes that power fast (days) to very fast (hours) hot transients, such as shock-breakout and shock-cooling emission of supernovae and the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events. Each telescope will be an off-the-shelf 14" Celestron RASA telescope, retrofitted with NUV optics. We have already demonstrated that the normal Schmidt corrector of this telescope can be replaced by a custom made one consisting of NUV transparent glass. Currently, a prototype NUX telescope is being fully assembled to demonstrate the technical and scientific feasibility of the NUX concept. Site tests will be held (in 2025/2026) at La Silla, Chile, to determine the NUV characteristics of the atmosphere at this site.