Berto Monard, an AAVSO member & observer is the first amateur to discover the afterglow to a GRB before the professional community. While many afterglows have been imaged by amateurs, including the famous GRB030329, this is the first time an afterglow was discovered and published by an amateur.

The NASA/MIT satellite HETE2 detected a possible GRB on July 25 at 11:46UT. Monard was alerted to the detection of the GRB through the AAVSO GRB alert system and discussion group. He used a .3m telescope at his Bronberg Observatory near Pretoria, South Africa to search the 30 arc minute error pattern that the HETE satellite distributed.

Upon comparison with many finder charts he discovered a new object near the edge of the error pattern. Further observations showed the object fading rapidly, as one would expect from GRB afterglows. His discovery was announced in GCN #2324. A few days later he observed the field again and published further photometry in GCN #2334.

July 29, the Danish 1.5m telescope at the European Southern Observatory in La Silla, Chile observed the field and confirmed Monard's discovery. Their confirmation was announced in GCN #2335. This GRB and Monard's excellent work is a prime example of why amateurs around the world are needed in this field. It was difficult for professionals to observe this GRB for many reasons, among them: 1. It was very far south (-50 degrees declination) 2. The IAU General Assembly was underway meaning many professionals were out of the office 3. Major colleges in both hemispheres were on holiday break (summer for north, winter for south) 4. An X-Ray flare (XRF) just a few days earlier had used up the target-of-opportunity (TOO) time for many GRB chasers.

Amateurs stepped in and filled the void and now a unique GRB afterglow has been observed that otherwise would have been missed. Congratulations Berto!

• Read a first-hand account of the discovery by Berto himself!
• See the animated before-after GIF

Two messages from NASA GRB astronomers:

Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2003 15:45:56 -0500
From: "Fishman, Jerry" 

Thanks for sending this wonderful news of the discovery of a GRB
afterglow by Berto Monard in South Africa.

We were "on-target" to support the work of these dedicated and expert
amateur astronomers through the AAVSO.  The GRB afterglow field has
"exploded" in the past two years and will continue to do so, with the launch
of SWIFT next year.  It's great to see that there is a significant role in
this important research to be played by the AAVSO partners.  Aaron and Arne
continue to provide valuable support for these observations.
---

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2003 15:47:50 -0400
From: Lou Kaluzienski 

Thanks very much [for your news] of this exciting development!  
This is a very impressive first for the AAVSO program on GRB 
monitoring--on behalf of NASA's Office of Space Science, please 
extend our sincerest congratulations to Berto for this wonderful 
result.  As we have discussed in connection with earlier AAVSO 
observations of GRB's, the enthusiasm and efforts of amateur 
astronomers like Berto in helping to resolve this long-standing 
scientific mystery is truly inspirational.

I am delighted that NASA has been able to assist in this quest at
unraveling the mysteries of the GRB phenomenon and appreciate your
kind words acknowledging our support.  With the prospect of
continuing exciting observations from HETE and the upcoming launch of
Swift, I look forward to further breakthrough discoveries from AAVSO
members.

Best Wishes.

Lou Kaluzienski

Going... 19:03:53 UT July 25, 2003 Going... 20:08:38 UT July 25, 2003 Gone! 17:37:41 UT July 28, 2003

Thanks to the Curry Foundation and NASA for support of the AAVSO International High Energy Network.

Images of Berto Monard's observatory and some of his equipment.