MATCH: Performance Characterization and Scientific Observations of the Wuhan University 1-m Optical Telescope

Sai-En Xu; Bei You; Han He; Shuai-Kang Yang; Xiao Fan; Yi-Fei Qu; Rui-Xiang Hu; Hui-Bo Fei; Bo-An Chen; Zong-Hong Zhu; Zheng-Yang Li; Xiao-Yan Li; Zi-Jian Han; Jia-Nan Cong; Chao Chen; Jia-Li Chen; Kai-Wen Zheng; Yi-Qiao Yang; Qing-Shan Li; Zhen-Guang Sun; Tong Zhou; Kai Zhang; Jiajia Wu; Xuhang Yin; Liang Yuan

arXiv · 2609.38858

MATCH: Performance Characterization and Scientific Observations of the Wuhan University 1-m Optical Telescope

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Abstract

The Multi-mode Autonomous Terminal for Compatible Hybrid-optics (MATCH), operated by Wuhan University and located at Lenghu, is a 1-m Ritchey--Chrétien telescope equipped with imaging and spectroscopic instruments. MATCH has been in trial operation since October 2025. In this work, we present the telescope and instrument configuration, characterize its performance during the first year of operation, and describe the integrated observing workflow developed for routine and time-domain observations, including the observatory control system, observation scheduler, and automated data reduction pipelines. Under typical observing conditions, the imaging system reaches 60-s-equivalent $5σ$ limiting magnitudes of approximately 18--20 mag across the $ugri$ bands, while the spectroscopic system reaches approximately 15--16~mag in the B and G channels in a 30-minute integration at the effective spectral resolution of the instrument. In the best-quality imaging observations, the $g$- and $r$-band depths approach 21~mag. Together with flexible scheduling and Target-of-Opportunity capability, MATCH provides photometric and spectroscopic follow-up and long-term monitoring of transient and variable sources.

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Sai-En Xu, Bei You, Han He, Shuai-Kang Yang, Xiao Fan, Yi-Fei Qu, Rui-Xiang Hu, Hui-Bo Fei, Bo-An Chen, Zong-Hong Zhu, Zheng-Yang Li, Xiao-Yan Li, Zi-Jian Han, Jia-Nan Cong, Chao Chen, Jia-Li Chen, Kai-Wen Zheng, Yi-Qiao Yang, Qing-Shan Li, Zhen-Guang Sun, Tong Zhou, Kai Zhang, Jiajia Wu, Xuhang Yin, Liang Yuan. 2026-09-30. MATCH: Performance Characterization and Scientific Observations of the Wuhan University 1-m Optical Telescope. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.38858

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