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OATS-DAUT SEMINAR
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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
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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.
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contact: Stefano Cristiani (OATS) and/or Dunja Fabian (DAUT)