The 4m International Liquid Mirror Telescope: Construction, operation, and science

TL;DR

The ILMT is a cost-effective 4-meter liquid mirror telescope dedicated to sky surveys, capable of detecting transients, variable objects, and low surface brightness galaxies, with operational since October 2023.

Contribution

This paper details the design, construction, commissioning, and initial scientific results of the first operational 4m liquid mirror telescope dedicated to astronomical surveys.

Findings

First light achieved on 29 April 2022.

Operational since October 2023 with initial survey results.

Demonstrates the viability of liquid mirror telescopes for large-scale sky surveys.

Abstract

The International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) project was motivated by the need for an inexpensive 4 metre diameter optical telescope that could be devoted entirely to astronomical surveys. Its scientific programmes include the detection and study of transients, variable objects, asteroids, comets, space debris and low surface brightness galaxies. To this end, a collaboration was formed between the Institute of Astrophysics and Geophysics (Li\`ege University, Belgium), several Canadian universities (University of British Columbia, Laval University, University of Montreal, University of Toronto, York University, University of Victoria) and the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES, India). After several years of design work in Belgium and construction in India on the ARIES Devasthal site, the telescope saw its first light on 29 April 2022. Its commissioning phase lasted from May 2022 until June 2023 (beginning of the monsoon). The ILMT was inaugurated on 21 March 2023 and has been in regular operation since October 2023. The telescope continuously observes the sky passing at the zenith using the SDSS g', r', and i' filters. This paper describes the ILMT, its operation, performance and shows some initial results.