The Search for GAMMA-RAY Burst Counterparts: A Coordinated COMPTEL/BATSE Rapid
Response Approach

R. M. Kippen, J. Macri, J. Ryan
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH  03824

B. McNamara
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM  88003

C. Meegan
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center,  ES-62, Huntsville, AL 35182

ABSTRACT

The COMPTEL experiment onboard CGRO can image cosmic gamma-ray sources in the
energy range 0.7-30 MeV with an accuracy of about 1 degree.  Within its 1
steradian field of view, COMPTEL detects several strong cosmic gamma-ray bursts
per year.  When combined with burst trigger notification from the BASTE
experiment on CGRO, the COMPTEL data processing and imaging analysis can be
accelerated to yield burst position localizations within hours of onset.  This
rapid response, coupled with good localization, can be exploited in searching
for burst counterparts at other wavelengths.  We present here a rapid response
plan which will allow scans of COMPTEL gamma-ray burst localization regions at
other wavelengths soon after detection.  The majority of this plan has been
successfully implemented and preliminary work is discussed.


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