SVOM Follow-up Observation Coordinating Service

TL;DR

The paper presents the Follow-Up Observation Coordinating Service (FOCS) developed for SVOM to orchestrate rapid, automated, and coordinated ground-based follow-up of GRBs across a heterogeneous telescope network. It details a client–server architecture with hybrid planning (Centralized and Decentralized Modes), MQTT-based alert distribution, and a multi-module workflow that includes Alert2Target for GRB planning and a configurable client interface. The authors demonstrate stable operation, high-throughput alert and plan delivery, and near-zero data loss across diverse networks, indicating strong readiness for real-time time-domain astronomy. Future work targets deeper multi-satellite collaboration and scientific data management to enhance cross-device data access and planning efficiency, expanding SVOM's observational capabilities.

Abstract

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.

Figures (6)

• Figure 1: The sequence of SVOM three-stage observations is shown in the figure, which illustrates the role of FOCS in the observation sequence.
• Figure 2: The architecture of FOCS. The top square shows the architecture of server. The boxes indicate the clients.
• Figure 3: The working procedure of the observation planning center of FOCS server is shown in the yellow box. The green square contents the scheduling strategies for the SVOM and ground telescope collaborative observation and the GRB automatic follow-up observation.
• Figure 4: An example of the interfaces of client for setting the follow-up observation planning strategies and parameter configurations. Function of each area is tagged, and configuration of each pop-up window is marked with number.
• Figure 5: The processing logic of Alert2Target, where the green box contents the pre-defined configurations and strategies.