Small Telescopes, Big Science: Strategies and Achievements of Time-Domain Astronomy in Taiwan

Ting-Wan Chen^1*

¹Graduate Institute of Astronomy, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan

* Presenter:Ting-Wan Chen, email:twchen@astro.ncu.edu.tw

In the era of large surveys and multi-messenger astronomy, Taiwan has developed a unique observational strategy based on flexible and responsive small telescopes. The 40-cm SLT and 1-m LOT telescopes at Lulin Observatory, through international collaborations such as ePESSTO+, ZTF, ENGRAVE, and Kinder, play a key role in the follow-up of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and other fast transients. This talk will present the overall framework and representative achievements of time-domain astronomy in Taiwan, including multi-colour observations and shock-breakout analysis of the nearby SN 2024ggi; optical follow-up of the first-year Einstein Probe fast X-ray transient sample; confirmation of the first lensed superluminous supernova SN 2025wny (SN Winny); and rapid-response observations of gamma-ray bursts and other fast-evolving transients. Together, these cases demonstrate the scientific impact of small telescopes within the global transient network and highlight Taiwan’s expanding role in the upcoming LSST era.

Keywords: Time domain astronomy, Multi-messenger astronomy, Supernovae, Kilonovae