The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF): Overview
Abstract
The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) is a new wide field, multiple cadence transient survey. The survey is based on a 12Kx8K, 7.8 square degree CCD array newly placed on the 48" Oshin Telescope at Palomar Observatory. PTF uses 80% of the 48" telescope time and will reach a depth of m-r'=21 in the nominal 60-second exposures. Two major experiments are planned: 1/ a 5-day cadence supernova search and 2/ an exotic transient search with cadences between 90 seconds and 1 day. PTF will provide automatic, realtime transient classification and followup, as well as a public database including every source detected in each frame. PTF is a collaboration of Caltech, IPAC, LBL, Berkeley, LCOGT, Columbia and the Weizmann Institute. First light is expected 4th quarter 2008, and initial science operations are planned for 2nd quarter 2009.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #213
- Pub Date:
- January 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AAS...21346901L