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The BATSE/COMPTEL/NMSU Rapid Response Network:

 The last burst alert followed up by the BATSE/COMPTEL/NMSU Rapid Response Network was: GRB960124.

Gamma-Ray Bursters

For two decades, the objects responsible for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have remained elusive. Past searchs for the counterparts of GRBs have been made in the radio, optical and x-ray bands without success. This failure has been due to the fact that the positions of GRBs are poorly determined (a consequence of the nature of gamma radiation and the instrumentation used to detect it).

 Statistical and physical arguments about the spatial, temporal, and spectral evolution of burst events has led to the conclusion that GRBs are probably associated with galactic or extragalactic neutron stars. The burst event is then due to a thermonuclear runaway on the surface of the neutron star, or a gravitational energy release. Either type event should produce optical photons as the orignal high-energy radiation is degraded by absorption and scattering in the circumstellar environment. It is this hope which drives our program of searching for the optical counterparts of GRBs.
 
 

The Observational Program

As soon as a burst event is detected a program to calculate the celestial postion is run. Depending on the burst strength, and how the spacecraft was oriented, a position of varying quality is generated. In the best-case scenario, a postion with 1/2 degree error box will be generated. We then obtain optical images of this error box to determine if anything out of the ordinary is apparent. The search does not require photometric conditions (as we can calibrate the field after an object is identified), and images in only one filter (e.g. V) are necessary. Because no one has ever identified one of these objects, we cannot begin to predict how bright these objects will be, or how long they would remain visible. It seems our best chance of detection, however, is to observe these fields as soon after the burst as possible.

Joining the Network

We are looking for collaborators who have access to CCD cameras on small telescopes with fairly large fields of view (5-10' square). [Those with access to a Schmidt camera of reasonable aperture are also encouraged to join our group.] We would notify the network as soon as a burst (with a reasonably well defined position) is detected. If you are interested in joining us in this collaboration, contact us at the addresses below.
 
 

Other Monitoring Programs

 Besides the GRBs, there are other high-energy sources that we are monitoring in the optical. Among these, are X-ray novae, and strong X-ray sources such as 4U0110+63. Help on these objects and similar objects discovered in the future would also be appreciated.

 

Useful Sites

Astronomy-related Sites:

Astronomy Sites List
HEASARC Technical Resources
IPAC HomePage
A.A.O. Home Page
Space Telescope Science Institute
Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
Information Bulletin on Variable Stars
Variable Star Observations
Novae Home Page
APO Home Page
Compton Observatory Science Support Center
BATSE
AAS.
EUVE
Index of XTE's ftp site.
HETE Project
Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
Network Resources for Astronomers (Mega-List)
NMSU Astronomy Home Page
The Digitized Sky Survey
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) Abstract Service .
NASA Space Technology: Space Mission Acronym List and Hyperlink Guide
Julian Date conversion utility


Net resources:

Lycos Search Form
Yahoo
WebCrawler Searching
Webmastery .
Gopher server at veronica.unipi.it
Geographic Name Server/Xerox Map Gateway
ArchiePlexForm
Image Finder
International News Sources on the Net.
Computer Games (ftp)
NMSU Library Home Page
INTELLiCast: USA Weather. weather site there is!).
The National Weather Service.
Weather Gophers
NOAA Geostationary Satellite Data Active Archive
Planet earth home page: images, icons, flags, and much, much more.
Government Agencies
Even more Federal Government sites.


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