***********************************************************
OATS-DAUT SEMINAR
***********************************************************
Speaker: Andreja Gomboc (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Title: Early Optical Afterglows of GRBs with 2-m Robotic Telescopes

Date: Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
Time: 12:00
Venue: Villa Bazzoni

***********************************************************
Abstract:
In last three years many new insights into Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) physics have been brought by the Swift satellite. Rapid and accurate localization of GRBs by the Swift enables rapid response ground-based telescopes to routinely commence with observations of optical afterglows within minutes after the burst. The combination of gamma-ray, X-ray, optical and ultraviolet data from Swift instruments with deep, early-time optical imaging from ground-based telescopes is providing unprecedented multiwavelength datasets.
I will present the observational strategy and some results of rapid, automatic, optical follow-up observations of a sample of GRBs using the 2-m robotic Liverpool and Faulkes Telescopes. The observations are carried out from minutes to a few hours after the prompt GRB and result in well-sampled light curves. I will review and discuss possible interpretation of the large variety in early afterglow behaviour.
***********************************************************
contact: Stefano Cristiani (OATS) and/or Dunja Fabian (DAUT)