2024PASP..136k5002L

Dome A in Antarctica likely has the best observing conditions on the Earth's surface in the near-infrared owing to its sky-light background and superior seeing conditions. This work introduces the system design and on-sky performance of the first wide field-of-view near-infrared telescope at Dome A. We present the lens design, tolerance analysis and stray light analysis of the optical system. We then evaluate a preliminary alignment method suitable for daytime use based on visual inspection. Finally, we describe a direct drive motor with maze structures, and an optical system with thermal compensation that is specially designed for the extreme environment in Antarctica. The on-sky performances demonstrate that this pilot near-infrared telescope not only successfully explores new technologies for extreme environments, but also presents an opportunity for 2670 hr of uninterrupted synergistic observation with the 0.5 m AST3-2 telescope at Dome A. The distinctive attributes of our design render it invaluable in many astronomical fields and holds significant promise for the monitoring of space debris and near-earth asteroids.