BATSE Rapid Burst Response

INTRODUCTION The need for rapid and accurate gamma-ray burst locations has long been recognized as the fundamental key to solving the gamma-ray burst (GRB) counterpart problem. However, its realization has been technically difficult to achieve. For the past four years the BACODINE system has been attempting to solve this problem by providing roughly-determined (accurate to ~4 deg, at best) BATSE burst locations in near real-time (typically a few seconds) to a network of dedicated optical/radio counterpart searchers. The BACODINE system sacrifices location accuracy in favor of speed in its use of small amounts of data, automated background estimation and simplified location algorithm. Unfortunately, BACODINE locations are too imprecise to allow for the sensitive observations now known to be required to detect faint GRB afterglows. To facilitate more sensitive counterpart searches on somewhat longer timescales we have developed the BATSE Rapid Burst Response (RBR) system, that takes the opposite approach from BACODINE: better location accuracy at the cost of longer delay. This is accomplished using more data, human background estimation and a more detailed location algorithm (LOCBURST). The improved BATSE RBR locations have a typical accuracy of ~2 deg (68% containment radius), with a post-burst delay of ~10-30 minutes. The RBR system operates in parallel with normal BACODINE processing and the locations from both systems are distributed via the same, well-established, GCN/BACODINE network. Follow the links below to learn more about the BATSE RBR system, its operation, performance and latest results. Visit often as the pages are regularly updated.
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Site Last Updated 17-Jan-02

Author:	Dr. R. Marc Kippen
Responsible Manager:	Dr. Thomas A. Parnell
Web Curator:	Dr. Jerome J. Brainerd