arXiv subjects

Li-ping Xin

Publications and source records attributed to Li-ping Xin.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

SVOM Science User Support Services at Chinese Science Center

The Chinese-French SVOM (Space-based Multi-band Astronomical Variable Objects Monitor) mission is dedicated to the study of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) from the distant universe. A key component of the SVOM Chinese Ground Segment, the Science User Support Services (SUSS) provides comprehensive support for the mission's scientific operations. SUSS consists of two integral pillars: a suite of specialized software tools that automate key workflows, and a dedicated User Support Team that delivers expert-led, human services. These human-delivered services include operational coordination across telescope networks, direct technical assistance to astronomers, user training, and proactive problem-solving throughout the observation lifecycle. This paper focuses on the organization of SVOM scientific operations and the role of SUSS in facilitating these tasks. We provide a detailed description of the SUSS software architecture and its functionalities, encompassing the General Platform, the Burst Advocate (BA) support tools for GRB counterpart identification, the Target of Opportunity (ToO) support tools, and the General Program (GP) support tools. The structure and services provided by the user support team at the Chinese Science Center (CSC) are also elaborated. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance of SUSS during its first operational year, assessing its effectiveness in fulfilling user requirements. The evaluation offers valuable insights to guide future user support strategies and software enhancements, ultimately enabling better service for the SVOM scientific community.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Alert Chain and Observation Planning for Ground Wide Angle Camera Network

The Ground Wide Angle Camera Network (GWAC-N) is a robotic telescope network. It consists of ten wide-field core telescopes (GWAC-A) and two 60cm narrow-field rapid follow-up telescopes (GWAC-F60A/B). The primary scientific goal of GWAC-N is to detect optical counterparts of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) discovered by the SVOM satellite. This is achieved through synchronized monitoring with the GWAC-A array. Upon receiving a GRB trigger alert, the network conducts rapid, multi-band follow-up observations using the GWAC-F60A/B telescopes. The two-stage observation process involves many telescopes, making manual control impractical. Automated operations are therefore essential. They are realized through an integrated alert processing chain and an automated observation scheduling and dispatching mechanism. To enable this, we employ the SVOM Follow-up Observation Coordinating Service (FOCS) and GWAC-N's Automatic Observation Management (AOM) system. This paper presents the integrated alert processing workflow. It also describes the formulation of observation strategies, and the scheduling and execution of observations enabled by FOCS and AOM.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

SVOM Follow-up Observation Coordinating Service

The Sino-French SVOM (Space Variable Objects Monitor) mission is a space-based astronomy mission complemented with ground-based dedicated instrumentation. It aims to explore and study high-energy cosmic phenomena, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). This unprecedented combination of space-based and ground-based instruments will provide leading multi-wavelength observational capabilities in gamma-rays, X-rays, optical, and near-infrared bands. The complete observation sequence of each GRB triggered by the SVOM mission consists of three stages, the GRB detections, followed by the on-board and grounded automatic follow-ups, and rapid deep multi-band photometry and spectroscopy re-visit observations. To efficiently organize all grounded instruments performing automatic follow-ups and re-visit observations, we develop a follow-up observation coordinating service (FOCS), which is capable of performing GRB trigger distributing, automatic observation scheduling and observation coordination supporting by providing a user support platform. The FOCS also facilitates the provision of observational planning for ground-based telescopes to conduct synchronized observations of identical celestial regions as SVOM. The FOCS is utilized for the SVOM-dedicated ground-based telescopes as well as for associated partner telescopes. Since the launch of SVOM in June 2024, as the FOCS system joining the operations of SVOM, multiple successful observations have been made for SVOM GRBs. In this paper, we present the goals of the FOCS system as well as the principle and workflow developed to achieve these goals. The structure, technical design, implementation, and performance of the FOCS system are also described in detail. We conclude with a summary of the current status of the FOCS system and our near-future development plan.

astro-ph.IM↗