The application period for the 2025B Observing Time Endowment (OTE-2025B) is open. Please, read the information below before submitting your proposal.
Calendar
- Admission of proposals: 1st of January 2025 — 28th February 2025
- Assessment and information requests: 1st March 2025 — 21st March 2025
- Observing period: 1st April 2025 — 31st July 2025 (4 months)
Who can apply?
Application is open to researchers affiliated to research institutions worldwide—including PhD students. For exceptional proposals, time can be allocated to master’s and undergrad students, but it is recommended that a more senior astronomer is included in the proposal.
How to apply?
- Fill out the application form linked above.
- Provide the required details. In case of doubt, you can write to
- Submit your proposal before the deadline.
Incomplete proposals will not be evaluated.
Technical information
Extensive information on the TTT project can be found on the webpage: ttt.iac.es.
Important: The equipment available for the 2025B Observing Time Endowment (OTE) includes the TTT-80cm robotic telescopes paired with the QHY411M camera. A detailed characterization of the sCMOS sensor is provided in Alarcón et al. (2023).
Managing allocated time
Observations use the TTT scheduling interface: dto.ttt.lightbridges.es. Accounts and organizations will be created by Light Bridges after successful allocation. The website provides:
- Scheduling of observing runs.
- Handling of allocated time.
- Access to raw and processed images.
- Exclusive 6 months license to the raw data.
More information related to the web interface and the scheduling will be published after allocation.
Researchers can request extensions or additional time in the next allocation period with sufficient justification.
When publishing in academia or presenting results in conferences, include the following acknowledgment:
“This article includes observations made in the Two-meter Twin Telescope (TTT) sited at the Teide Observatory of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), that Light Bridges operates on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). The Observing Time Rights (DTO) used for this research were provided by Light Bridges, SL”
Please, submit a brief report within 3 months after completing the observations. Reports may include preliminary results but please, do not provide confidential information pending to be published.
Why do we do this?
At Light Bridges, we are committed to advancing science and fostering groundbreaking astronomical discoveries from the Canary Islands International Observatories. By offering 200 hours of observation time on the robotic Two-meter Twin Telescope (TTT), we aim to:
- Support high-impact research for the international astronomical community.
- Empower researchers, especially early-career scientists, by removing barriers to accessing advanced robotic telescopes.
- Promote collaborations that maximize the scientific potential of the Observatories in the Canary Islands.
- This initiative reflects our mission as a Canary-based private company to bridge the gap between cutting-edge astronomy infrastructure and global scientific endeavors in the most relevant of sciences: Astronomy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum observing time per proposal?
Projects will have available 200 hours or DTO. Requests over 20 hours per project are discouraged to ensure broader inclusion. Exceptions can be made with strong scientific justification.
Bear in mind that TTT telescopes are fully robotic and allocated time will only be spent in pointing time, exposure time and readout time (the latter is almost nonexistent in CMOS sensors). Compared to traditional, human-operated telescopes, we estimate to achieve an equivalent amount of data in one half to one third of the time. Please take this into account when requesting time.
Who is the owner of the collected data?
The RAW data collected is owned by the telescope. The Principal Investigator (PI) is granted an exclusive license to the data for a period of 6 months. After this exclusivity period, the PI may retain a copy of the data; however, the exclusivity is lifted, allowing broader access.
Light Bridges reserves the right to non-exclusive access to the data for purposes such as Outreach and educational activities, Showcasing scientific results, AI training, Planetary defense initiatives, and other relevant uses.
Can I submit a joint proposal from several institutions or countries?
Yes, collaboration is encouraged to maximize scientific impact. You can add up to 5 co-PI’s, from different institutions and countries.
Are there any fees to apply or schedule?
The Observing Time Endowment provides free access to telescope time and the obtained astronomy data, with 6 months of exclusive access. This process ensures equal opportunities for all applicants, and there are no fees involved at any point of the process.
How will proposals be assessed?
Proposals are evaluated by the Light Bridges’ Chief Science Officer, based on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact, with an eye on inclusion and opportunity for early-career astronomers. PhD’s and students with an ambitious proposal are also encouraged to apply.
Are there other ways to observe in TTT?
The Two-meter Twin Telescope (TTT) is designed to support observation requests and research projects from investigators worldwide.
This OTE program provides observation time free of charge; however, our telescopes rely on astronomers and scientific institutions obtaining funding to ensure ongoing operation, long term sustainability and future instruments.
Researchers with funding are encouraged to fund time at TTT using the proposal submission form. This will be followed by a specific observational project, depending on the available funding and the scientific goals of your project. By budgeting TTT time in your scientific projects, you contribute to maintaining these advanced infrastructures and ensure broader access to cutting-edge observational capabilities for the global scientific community.
Researchers with innovative ideas for new instruments on the TTT are encouraged to contact us at .
Legal and privacy info
- Light Bridges’ Observing Time Endowment (OTE) is offered free of charge and commitment to the scientific community. Light Bridges is not responsible for the malfunctioning of the infrastructure, the non-compliance of the service or the total or partial absence of results during the allocated time.
- By applying to OTE, the user agrees to share the personal and research information disclosed in the application form with Light Bridges.
- This information will be stored in Light Bridges’ database for the sole purpose of proposal assessment and time allocation for a maximum period of 5 years. It will not be shared with third parties.
- Light Bridges does not share or disclose any information contained in proposals. However, Light Bridges reserves the right to non-exclusive access to the data for purposes such as (a) outreach and educational activities, (b) showcasing scientific results, (c) AI training, (d) planetary defense initiatives, and other relevant uses.
- Proposals are assessed by Light Bridges’ Chief Scientist and, when applicable, by a selected committee of experts who have agreed not to disclose any information related to the proposals.
- Users can contact Light Bridges at in order to consult, modify or eliminate any personal information stored.
