PROMPT: Panchromatic Robotic Optical Monitoring and Polarimetry Telescopes

TL;DR

PROMPT is a multi-telescope system designed for rapid optical and polarimetric observation of gamma-ray burst afterglows, with capabilities to identify high-redshift events and support spectroscopic follow-up, while also serving educational purposes.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design, construction, and initial deployment of PROMPT, a novel multi-telescope system optimized for rapid, multi-wavelength, and polarimetric observations of GRBs.

Findings

First two telescopes operational and observed initial GRB

System can respond within seconds to GRB alerts

Supports high-redshift event identification and follow-up

Abstract

Funded by $1.2M in grants and donations, we are now building PROMPT at CTIO. When completed in late 2005, PROMPT will consist of six 0.41-meter diameter Ritchey-Chretien telescopes on rapidly slewing mounts that respond to GRB alerts within seconds, when the afterglow is potentially extremely bright. Each mirror and camera coating is being optimized for a different wavelength range and function, including a NIR imager, two red-optimized imagers, a blue-optimized imager, an UV-optimized imager, and an optical polarimeter. PROMPT will be able to identify high-redshift events by dropout and distinguish these events from the similar signatures of extinction. In this way, PROMPT will act as a distance-finder scope for spectroscopic follow up on the larger 4.1-meter diameter SOAR telescope, which is also located at CTIO. When not chasing GRBs, PROMPT serves broader educational objectives across the state of North Carolina. Enclosure construction and the first two telescopes are now complete and functioning: PROMPT observed Swift's first GRB in December 2004. We upgrade from two to four telescope in February 2005 and from four to six telescopes in mid-2005.