Taiwan’s Time-Domain Framework at Lulin Observatory
Speaker: Janet Ting-Wan Chen (National Central University, Taiwan)
Abstract:
In the era of large surveys and multi-messenger astronomy, rapid follow-up is essential to connect alerts to physical interpretation. Taiwan has developed a flexible, responsive strategy based on small telescopes at Lulin Observatory, including the 40-cm SLT and the 1-m LOT, integrated with international networks such as ePESSTO+, ZTF, ENGRAVE, and the Kinder program. I will present (1) dense multi-colour observations of the nearby SN 2024ggi, where early-time photometry constrains wind shock breakout emission and the immediate circumstellar environment; (2) optical follow-up of first-year Einstein Probe fast X-ray transients, identifying counterparts and clarifying which events are consistent with GRB-like afterglows; (3) confirmation and rapid characterisation of the first strongly lensed hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova, SN 2025wny (“Winny”). I will also place these efforts in the broader context of Taiwan’s superluminous supernova program, connecting early photometric indicators to spectroscopic evolution and host-galaxy environments. Together, these case studies demonstrate how small telescopes deliver high scientific impact within global transient networks and how Taiwan is preparing for the Rubin/LSST era.