Optical Observations of GRBs: Early and Often

这项研究是对机器人光学瞬态搜索实验（ROTSE）获得的伽马射线暴（GRB）后续观测数据的科学分析和传播，ROTSE是一个由四个全自动快速反应望远镜组成的网络，放置在四个不同的大洲，提供全球覆盖。NASA的SWIFT卫星将在其两年的任务中为数百个grb提供准确、快速的定位，而ROTSE将能够在不到10秒的时间内对其中近一半的事件做出反应，为100个或更多的grb提供早期光学观测，而不是目前的少数几个。早期的时间周期对于理解grb的起源至关重要，ROTSE应该揭示祖环境、伽马射线发射机制和事件几何的重要线索。该项目广泛涉及本科生研究人员，具有很高的公众关注度。ROTSE也是一个非常引人注目、非常国际化的项目，涉及美国、澳大利亚、德国、纳米比亚和土耳其。

AST-0407061McKayThis research is the scientific analysis and dissemination of gamma-ray burst (GRB) follow-up observations obtained by the Robotic Optical Transient Search Experiment (ROTSE), which is a network of four fully automatic rapid response telescopes, placed on four different continents to provide global coverage. NASA's SWIFT satellite will provide accurate, prompt localizations for hundreds of GRBs over its nominal two-year mission, and ROTSE will be able to respond in less than 10 seconds to nearly half of these events, providing early optical observations for a hundred or more GRBs, versus the current handful. The early time period is crucial for understanding the origin of GRBs, and ROTSE should reveal important clues to progenitor environments, gamma-ray emission mechanisms, and event geometry.The project involves undergraduate researchers extensively, and has a very high level of public interest. ROTSE is also a highly visible, extremely international project, involving the US, Australia, Germany, Namibia, and Turkey.