Ian Smith (Rice University), Reginald J. Dufour (Rice University), Edison P. Liang (Rice University), Jeffrey M. Silverman (University of California at Berkeley), Larry C. Hardin (Hardin Optical Company), Robert D. Forgey (Hardin Optical Company), Mark A. Skinner (Boeing LTS, Inc.), Andrew Alday (Boeing LTS, Inc.), Carl Akerlof (University of Michigan), Heather Swan (University of Michigan), Tim McKay (University of Michigan), Eli Rykoff (University of Michigan), Sarah Yost (University of Michigan)
Keywords: Astronomy
Abstract:
Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are the largest explosions in the Universe since the Big Bang. The ability to study GRBs has significantly improved thanks to the rapid localization of bursts by the Swift satellite. The AEOS 3.63-m telescope is filling important gaps in the capabilities of the world-wide network of ground-based observatories doing GRB follow-up observations. Here we will summarize the status of the field and the results obtained to date by the Rice University CCD imager (RUCCD), one of the instruments used by the MARGE collaboration to study burst afterglows. The RUCCD currently operates in Coude room 6 of the AEOS telescope. It has eight filter wheel slots, and can perform imaging photometry, spectroscopy, and polarimetry, using exposure times as short as 20 milliseconds. The CCD has a high quality and uniformity, and the focus is good across the whole field of view. Spectroscopy is performed using an imaging-grism and/or imaging-grating system rather than a slit spectrometer. This disperses the spectra of all the sources in the field of view. During the times it is installed in the Coude room, the RUCCD is thermoelectrically cooled, and is in a permanent state of readiness for making observations.
Date of Conference: September 10-14, 2006
Track: Astronomy