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About

Johan Hendrik Knapen is an astronomer whose work sits at the intersection of observational astrophysics and advanced telescope instrumentation, with a particular focus on robotic telescope technology and time-domain astronomy. He has been a central figure in the development and scientific exploitation of next-generation robotic observing facilities, most notably contributing to the Liverpool Telescope 2 project and leading efforts on the ambitious New Robotic Telescope (NRT) — a planned 4-metre fully robotic facility to be sited at the prestigious Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, Spain. When completed, the NRT will represent one of the largest robotic telescopes in the world, purpose-built for rapid follow-up of transient phenomena such as gravitational wave events, gamma-ray bursts, and other fleeting cosmic signals. Knapen's most cited contribution, the Liverpool Telescope 2 paper (2015, 14 citations), underscores his commitment to advancing autonomous observing capabilities that democratize access to cutting-edge astronomy. Through a series of progress reports spanning 2019–2021, he has maintained international momentum for the NRT collaboration, positioning the community for a transformative leap in responsive, large-aperture robotic astronomy.