Follow the BAT: Monitoring Swift BAT FoV for Prompt Optical Emission from Gamma-ray Bursts

TL;DR

This paper proposes a coordinated system called 'Follow the BAT' that uses ground-based telescopes to monitor the Swift BAT field-of-view for detecting prompt optical and NIR emissions from gamma-ray bursts, especially short-duration ones.

Contribution

It introduces a novel system for real-time, coordinated optical and NIR monitoring of GRB fields, optimizing telescope deployment based on multiple factors to improve detection chances.

Findings

Monte Carlo simulation shows feasibility of the system

Potential to detect prompt optical/NIR emission from short GRBs

Enhanced coordination between professional and amateur astronomers

Abstract

We investigate the feasibility of implementing a system called 'Follow the BAT' that will coordinate ground-based robotic optical and near infrared (NIR) telescopes to monitor the Swift BAT field-of-view (FoV). The system will optimize the monitoring locations in the BAT FoV based on individual robotic telescopes' location, FoV, sensitivity and local weather conditions. The aim is to perform coordinated BAT FoV monitoring by professional as well as amateur astronomers around the world. The scientific goal of the proposed system is to facilitate detection of prompt optical and NIR emission from GRBs, especially from short duration GRBs. We have performed a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the feasibility of the project.