The Trans-Pacific Two-Meter Telescope (TP2m)
Status Update (2025/03/20)
Update Author: Dr. An-Li Tsai
Part of the TP2m telescope’s multi-color CCD camera was originally located on the 10th floor of ASIAA. We moved it to the B1 Lab in mid-March 2025 and are now reassembling all parts, including 3 CCD cameras, 3 Windows computers equipped with optics control cards, and 3 coolers. To develop software for remotely controlling the 3 CCD cameras, we have set up a 4th Linux computer as the master system to control the 3 Windows computers. The power and internet connection are ready, so we can now begin working on the software development.
The concept of the telescope control system software is shown in the following schematic diagram. The main control computer will be the device that allows remote access and controls other devices via the internal network.
Introduction
Building on the success of the Lulin Observatory, the Taiwanese astronomy community initiated the construction of a 2-meter-class telescope, the Trans-Pacific Two-Meter Telescope (TP2m). Led by the Graduate Institute of Astronomy at National Central University (NCU) in collaboration with Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), the TP2m is designed to follow up on transient alerts identified by the Vera Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). In addition to transient follow-ups, the TP2m will open proposal opportunities to partner institutions for a variety of research topics.
The TP2m will be located at San Pedro Mártir, Mexico, a site renowned for its excellent observational conditions. The telescope will initially be equipped with a multi-color simultaneous imager. First light and commissioning are anticipated in 2025.
