Abstract Since it is not possible to predict when a Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) will occur or when Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) flaring activity starts, follow-up/monitoring ground telescopes must be located as uniformly as possible all over the world in order to collect data simultaneously with Fermi and Swift detections. However, there is a distinct gap in follow-up coverage of telescopes in the eastern U.S. region based on the operations of Swift. Motivated by this fact, we have constructed a 14″ fully automated optical robotic telescope, Goddard Robotic Telescope (GRT), at the Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory. The aims of our robotic telescope are (1) to follow-up Swift/Fermi GRBs and (2) to perform the coordinated optical observations of Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) AGN. Our telescope system consists of off-the-shelf hardware. With the focal reducer, we are able to match the field of view of Swift narrow instruments (20′×20′). We started scientific observations in mid-November 2008 and GRT has been fully remotely operated since August 2009. The 3σ upper limit in a 30s exposure in the R filter is ∼15.4mag; however, we can reach to ∼18mag in a 600s exposures. Due to the weather condition at the telescope site, our observing efficiency is 30–40% on average.


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    Title :

    Goddard Robotic Telescope – Optical follow-up of GRBs and coordinated observations of AGNs


    Contributors:
    Sakamoto, T. (author) / Wallace, C.A. (author) / Donato, D. (author) / Gehrels, N. (author) / Okajima, T. (author) / Ukwatta, T.N. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 47 , 8 ; 1444-1450


    Publication date :

    2010-10-20


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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