February 22, 2006: The optical afterglow and underlying supernova for GRB060218 continues to brighten and has generated a lot of interest in the scientific community. It is well positioned in the early evening sky for professional and amateur monitoring. The latest coordinates are:
R.A.: 03:21:39.71 Decl.: +16:52:02.1 J2000
March 19, 2008: The intense gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B was detected in gamma ray, x-ray, optical light, and early indications by two automated cameras suggest that the optical afterglow of the burst may have briefly reached naked-eye visibility (mag ~ 5.76, GCN 7445, Cwiok et al) within 60 seconds of the onset. It is highly unlikely the burst was caught visually, but it is possible the burst may have been detected if any observers were monitoring this area of the sky (e.g. for minor planet searching).
The coordinates of the burst are:
We're pleased to note that GCN Circular #14490 has been published, detailing time-series photometry of the bright GRB 130427A by Patrick Wiggins. His observations provide a comprehensive record of the three hours of the early evolution of this incredibly bright afterglow.
Congratulations to Patrick on his observations!
Thanks to the Curry Foundation and NASA for support of the AAVSO International High Energy Network. Thanks to all the observers across the world for their hard work.
GRB130427A photometry by P. Wiggins
GRB110918A photometry by A. Oksanen, C. Harlingten, B. Schaefer, and M. Templeton
The AAVSO has held three Professional-Amateur meetings in collaboration with NASA, Sonoma State University, and New Mexico State University
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Sponsored by: American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) & NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) |
| Mitzi Adams | NASA/MSFC |
| William Alexander | Huntington, WV |
| William Aquino | Wheatfield, NY |
