Ground-based gamma-ray burst follow-up efforts: Results of the first two years of the BATSE/COMPTEL/NMSU rapid response network
In this paper we describe the capabilities of the BATSE/COMPTEL/NMSU Rapid Response Network and report on results obtained during its first 2 years of operation. This network is a worldwide association of 22 radio and optical observatories that perform follow-up searches of newly discovered gamma-ray burst error boxes by the {ital Compton} {ital Gamma} {ital Ray} {ital Observatory}. During the last 2 years, it has deeply imaged 10 gamma-ray error boxes over time frames from a few hours to a month after burst detection, and it finds no sources that can be associated unambiguously with a gamma-ray burst. {ital We} {ital suggest} {ital that} {ital significant} {ital optical} {ital or} {ital radio} {ital emission} {ital is} {ital not} {ital produced} {ital by} {ital gamma}-{ital ray} {ital bursts} {ital more} {ital than} {ital a} {ital day} {ital after} {ital the} {ital burst}. This result is consistent with recent theoretical models by Katz, Papathanassiou, and Paczy{acute n}ski & Rhoads; however, our hours to days optical response time and radio sensitivity limits allow only a weak constraint to be placed on these models. Based upon this study and other published works, we suggest that future work should concentrate on acquiring deep optical images ({ital m}{ge}12) of small gamma-ray error boxes well within a day of the burst. Ideally, radio observations should begin as soon after the burst as possible, reach a sensitivity of {le}1 mJy, and be continued with occasional images being acquired for at least a month following burst detection. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Astronomical Society.}
- OSTI ID:
- 283781
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series, Vol. 103, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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