TITLE

THE BATSE RAPID BURST RESPONSE SYSTEM


AUTHORS

R.M. Kippen (1), V. Connaughton (2), G.N. Pendleton (3), P. Woods (3),
S.D. Barthelmy (4), G.J. Fishman (5), C. Kouveliotou (6), C. R. Robinson (6),
and C.A. Meegan (5)

(1) Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University
    of Alabama in Huntsville, AL 35899
(2) NAS/NRC NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812
(3) Department of Physics, University of Alabama in Huntsville, AL 35899
(4) USRA NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
(5) NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812
(6) USRA NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812


ABSTRACT

Accurate and timely gamma-ray burst locations are a fundamental
requirement for detecting multi-wavelength afterglows.  The recently
developed BATSE Rapid Burst Response (RBR) system fulfills this
requirement by providing locations accurate to $\sim$2 degrees for
several bursts per month within $\sim$10--30 minutes of onset.  This
is accomplished using continuous real-time telemetry data,
automatically transferred to NASA/MSFC, where the burst location
algorithm employed for ``best and final'' BATSE locations (LOCBURST)
is applied by duty scientists.  The locations are distributed to
ground- and space-based observatories through the GCN/BACODINE
world-wide network.  The BATSE RBR system, combined with wide-field or
scanning instruments, offers the chance of detecting prompt
x-ray/optical/radio afterglow emission from many bursts.  We discuss
the operation, performance and status of the system as well as results
from coordinated multi-wavelength follow-up observations.

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