- GCN/BACODINE POSITION NOTICE
TITLE: GCN/HETE BURST POSITION NOTICE
NOTICE_DATE: Sun 24 Aug 03 16:47:40 UT
NOTICE_TYPE: HETE S/C_Alert
TRIGGER_NUM: 2821, Seq_Num: 1
GRB_DATE: 12875 TJD; 236 DOY; 03/08/24
GRB_TIME: 60455.11 SOD {16:47:35.11} UT
TRIGGER_SOURCE: Trigger on the 6-120 keV band.
GAMMA_RATE: 380 [cnts/s] on a 1.300 [sec] timescale
SC_LONG: 34 [deg East]
SUN_POSTN: 153.15d {+10h 12m 37s} +11.08d {+11d 04' 39"}
MOON_POSTN: 116.10d {+07h 44m 25s} +25.61d {+25d 36' 30"}
MOON_ILLUM: 10 [%]
COMMENTS: No s/c ACS pointing info available yet.
COMMENTS: Probable GRB.
- GCN/BACODINE POSITION NOTICE
- GCN/BACODINE POSITION NOTICE
TITLE: GCN/HETE BURST POSITION NOTICE
NOTICE_DATE: Sun 24 Aug 03 17:47:22 UT
NOTICE_TYPE: HETE Ground Analysis
TRIGGER_NUM: 2821, Seq_Num: 3
GRB_DATE: 12875 TJD; 236 DOY; 03/08/24
GRB_TIME: 60455.10 SOD {16:47:35.10} UT
TRIGGER_SOURCE: Trigger on the 6-120 keV band.
GAMMA_RATE: 380 [cnts/s] on a 1.300 [sec] timescale
SC_-Z_RA: 332 [deg]
SC_-Z_DEC: -9 [deg]
SC_LONG: 34 [deg East]
WXM_CNTR_RA: 1.102d {+00h 04m 25s} (J2000),
1.149d {+00h 04m 36s} (current),
0.460d {+00h 01m 50s} (1950)
WXM_CNTR_DEC: +20.026d {+20d 01' 35"} (J2000),
+20.047d {+20d 02' 48"} (current),
+19.748d {+19d 44' 53"} (1950)
WXM_CORNER1: 1.5510 19.7760 [deg]
WXM_CORNER2: 0.6990 19.8950 [deg]
WXM_CORNER3: 0.6540 20.2780 [deg]
WXM_CORNER4: 1.5049 20.1570 [deg]
WXM_MAX_SIZE: 58.85 [arcmin] diameter
WXM_LOC_SN: 6 sig/noise (pt src in image)
WXM_IMAGE_SN: X= 4.5 Y= 3.9 [sig/noise]
WXM_LC_SN: X= 4.2 Y= 5.9 [sig/noise]
SUN_POSTN: 153.15d {+10h 12m 37s} +11.08d {+11d 04' 39"}
SUN_DIST: 138.43 [deg]
MOON_POSTN: 116.10d {+07h 44m 25s} +25.61d {+25d 36' 30"}
MOON_DIST: 102.08 [deg]
MOON_ILLUM: 10 [%]
GAL_COORDS: 108.12,-41.49 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst
ECL_COORDS: 9.24,17.88 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst
COMMENTS: Definite GRB.
COMMENTS: Burst_Validity flag is true.
COMMENTS: WXM data refined since S/C_Last Notice.
- GCN/BACODINE POSITION NOTICE
TITLE: GCN/HETE BURST POSITION NOTICE
NOTICE_DATE: Sun 24 Aug 03 19:13:33 UT
NOTICE_TYPE: HETE Ground Analysis
TRIGGER_NUM: 2821, Seq_Num: 4
GRB_DATE: 12875 TJD; 236 DOY; 03/08/24
GRB_TIME: 60455.10 SOD {16:47:35.10} UT
TRIGGER_SOURCE: Trigger on the 6-120 keV band.
GAMMA_RATE: 380 [cnts/s] on a 1.300 [sec] timescale
SC_-Z_RA: 331 [deg]
SC_-Z_DEC: -9 [deg]
SC_LONG: 34 [deg East]
WXM_CNTR_RA: 1.260d {+00h 05m 02s} (J2000),
1.307d {+00h 05m 14s} (current),
0.618d {+00h 02m 28s} (1950)
WXM_CNTR_DEC: +19.927d {+19d 55' 37"} (J2000),
+19.947d {+19d 56' 50"} (current),
+19.649d {+19d 38' 55"} (1950)
WXM_MAX_SIZE: 22.43 [arcmin] diameter
WXM_LOC_SN: 6 sig/noise (pt src in image)
WXM_IMAGE_SN: X= 4.5 Y= 3.9 [sig/noise]
WXM_LC_SN: X= 4.2 Y= 5.9 [sig/noise]
SUN_POSTN: 153.15d {+10h 12m 37s} +11.08d {+11d 04' 39"}
SUN_DIST: 138.40 [deg]
MOON_POSTN: 116.10d {+07h 44m 25s} +25.61d {+25d 36' 30"}
MOON_DIST: 102.01 [deg]
MOON_ILLUM: 10 [%]
GAL_COORDS: 108.28,-41.62 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst
ECL_COORDS: 9.34,17.73 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst
COMMENTS: Definite GRB.
COMMENTS: WXM error box is circular; not rectangular.
COMMENTS: Burst_Validity flag is true.
COMMENTS: WXM data refined since S/C_Last Notice.
- GCN notice #2363
J. Moran, M. Nysewander, D. Reichart, P. Yim, C. Zdanowicz, and J. Reichart
report on behalf of the UNC GRB team of the FUN GRB collaboration:
We are currently observing the error region of GRB 030824 (HETE 2821) with
the 0.6-meter Morehead Observatory telescope in R band through haze and
fog. We detect a source that does not appear in DSS/POSS-II or 2MASS, at:
RA: 00:04:36
DEC: 19:48:57
This source is near our detection limit, but is clearly visible in most of
our individual frames, which now span many hours.
We tentatively estimate its magnitude to be R ~ 17. We cannot rule out the
possibility of a variable/flare star.
A more detailed analysis will follow.
- GCN notice #2364
D.B. Fox and M.P. Hunt (Caltech) report on behalf of the Caltech-NRAO
GRB Collaboration:
"We have observed the HETE-2 WXM localization region for XRF030824
with the 200-inch Hale Telescope and Large-Format Camera on
Mt. Palomar. Our dithered 4x300s images cover 95% of the
22.4'-diameter error circle at a mean epoch of August 25.25 UT, 0.55
days after the event. Visual comparison with the Digitized Sky Survey
(POSS-II) reveals no new, bright sources within the localization
region to the limiting magnitude of the GSC catalog, R~18.8.
"The nearest star to the location of the candidate of Moran et
al. (GCN 2363) has R~20.1 in our image."
- GCN notice #2368
M.A. Ibrahimov, I.M. Asfandiyarov, B.B. Kahharov (UBAI), A.Pozanenko
(IKI),V.Rumyantsev (CrAO), G.Beskin (SAO) report:
We have observed the WXM error box of XRF030824 (HETE trigger 2821) with
1.5m telescope of Maidanak High-altitude Observatory (UBAI) on August 24.
The 5x300s images taken between 21:19 and 21:51 UT (4.53hrs after the burst)
cover 40% around the center of WXM error circle. The OT candidate (Moran et
al. GCN 2363) is out of our coverage. Visual comparison with DSS2 reveals no
new sources to the limiting magnitude R~19.5.
- GCN notice #2369
D.B. Fox and M.P. Hunt (Caltech), with P.A. Price (IfA/Hawaii) report
on behalf of the Caltech-NRAO GRB Collaboration:
"We have reobserved the HETE-2 WXM localization region for XRF030824
with the 200-inch Hale Telescope and Large-Format Camera on
Mt. Palomar. Our dithered 4x300s images cover 95% of the
22.4'-diameter error circle at a mean epoch of August 26.42 UT, 1.72
days after the event. PSF-matched image subtraction of our
first-epoch image (mean epoch Aug 25.25; Fox & Hunt, GCN 2364) does
not reveal any bright, stationary, variable objects within the part of
the WXM localization region covered by our images. The limiting
magnitude of the individual images is approximately R~24.5. Within
this region we set a lower limit of R>22.5 on the magnitude of any
strongly variable optical counterpart to XRF030824 at either epoch.
This is a conservative lower limit, which we consider appropriate
given the size of the region.
Separately, we note the presence of a slow-moving (15" per hour,
PA=-73 deg) object within the error circle in our Aug 25.25 image,
near RA 00:05:36.69, Dec +19:59:56.9 (J2000), with an approximate
R-band magnitude of 19.9.
The nearest star to the location of the object reported by Moran et
al. (GCN 2363) is constant in brightness in our two images. We find
no variable objects in the near vicinity; however, the location is
only 15" from the borders of our imaged region.
Observers interested in making their own investigation of these data,
or comparing with other datasets, should contact Fox by email to
arrange for data transfer."
- GCN notice #2373
M.C. Nysewander, J.C. Clemens, J.A. Moran and D.E. Reichart (University of
North Carolina) report:
Upon further inspection of the images of the candidate reported by Moran et
al., GCN 2363, we find that the transient was the product of faulty
hardware. Our new camera had not been fully tested by the time of the
burst alert, and below spec CTE problems seemed to have caused the
fading/variable source apparent in the images. We apologize for any
confusion.
- GCN notice #2379
A. Oksanen on behalf of the Nyrola Observatory GRB Team
and the AAVSO International High Energy Network reports:
Total of five 24 x 16 arcmin fields covering most of the HETE WXM error
circle of XRF030824 (HETE 2821) was imaged with the 0.4m SCT at the
Nyrola Observatory starting at August 24, 2003 20:40 UT, 4.0 hours after
the inital burst under varying sky conditions (some clouds and haze).
Total of 22 240s Rc-exposures were combined and compared to
the Digitized Sky Survey (DSS2R).
No new objects were found to the image limits of R = 17.5 - 19.0.
Field mid UT exposure limiting R mag
------------------------------------------------
XRF030824 20:50 5 x 240s 19.0
XRF030824NE 21:15 3 x 240s 18.5
XRF030824NW 21:35 5 x 240s 17.5 (clouds)
XRF030824SE 22:01 5 x 240s 19.0
XRF030824SW 22:24 4 x 240s 19.0
------------------------------------------------
The final combined images are available on the web with an image
showing the error circle and the sky coverage of each field:
http://nyrola.jklsirius.fi/grb/xrf030824/
The AAVSO International High Energy network is grateful for a
generous grant from the Curry Foundation and to NASA for the
financial support for the High Energy Workshops for Amateur
Astronomers.
- GCN notice #2402
M. Galassi, C. Graziani, Y. Shirasaki, G. Ricker, J-L. Atteia, N.
Kawai, D. Lamb, and S. Woosley on behalf of the HETE Science Team;
T. Donaghy, E. Fenimore, M. Matsuoka, T. Sakamoto, M. Suzuki, T.
Tamagawa, K. Torii, A. Yoshida, Y. Nakagawa, R. Satoh, Y. Urata, T.
Yamazaki and Y. Yamamoto, on behalf of the HETE WXM Team;
A. Dullighan, N. Butler, G. Crew, J. Doty, G. Prigozhin, R. Vanderspek,
J. Villasenor, J. G. Jernigan, A. Levine, G. Azzibrouck, J. Braga, R.
Manchanda, and G. Pizzichini, on behalf of the HETE Operations and HETE
Optical-SXC Teams;
M. Boer, J-F Olive, J-P Dezalay, C. Barraud and K. Hurley on behalf of
the HETE FREGATE Team;
report:
At 16:47:35.10 UTC (60455.10 s UT) on 24 August 2003, the HETE FREGATE
and WXM instruments detected event H2821, an X-Ray Flash.
The burst triggered FREGATE in the 6-80 keV energy band. The WXM
flight localization was correct, but was not sent to the GCN because
the low fluence of the burst and its location at the edge of the WXM
FOV did not meet the criteria for automatic propagation. Ground
analysis of the WXM data provided a localization that was reported in a
GCN Notice at 17:47:22 UT, 60 minutes after the burst. Further ground
analysis of the WXM data provided a refined localization that was
reported in a GCN Notice at 19:13:33 UT. The refined WXM ground
localization SNR was 6. The refined WXM localization can be expressed
as a 90% confidence circle, whose radius is 11.2 arcminutes and whose
center is at:
WXM-Ground: R.A. = +00h 05m 02s, Dec. = +19d 55' 37" (J2000).
The SXC had not yet turned on because the burst occurred just before
orbit dusk.
The T90 duration for the burst was > 16 seconds in the WXM 2-25 keV
energy band. The peak flux of the burst in 1 second is 5.4 x 10-8 erg
cm-2 s-1 in the 7-30 kev energy band and 2.1 x 10-8 erg cm-2 s-1 in the
30-400 keV energy band. The fluence of the burst is 8.9 x 10-7 erg cm-2
and 5.8 x 10-7 erg cm-2 in the same energy bands, respectively. Thus
S(2-30 keV)/S(30-400 keV) = 1.5, making this burst an X-ray flash.
A light curve and skymap for XRF030824 is provided at the following URL:
http://space.mit.edu/HETE/Bursts/GRB030824
- GCN notice #2406
A. Klotz, F. Malacrino, J.L. Atteia, M. Boer (CESR-LAT/OMP Toulouse), D. Fox,
M.P. Hunt (Caltech), and C. Veillet (CFHT) communicate:
We observed the error box of XRF 030824 (HETE 2821) with MEGAPRIME at the
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, and i' filter, on September 21, 7h56 UT (two
300 sec exposures). This XRF has a relatively low "pseudo-z" (see Atteia,
2003, A&A, 407, L1), and we were looking for the possible rise of an
associated type Ib,c supernova.
Comparison with frames acquired at the 200-inch Hale Telescope and Large-
Format Camera on Mt. Palomar (Fox and Hunt GCNC # 2364 and 2369) reveals two
new objects at the following J2000.0 coordinates:
Object 1: 0h05m12.30s, +20d06'29.4" +-0.2", i'=22.7+-0.2; no host galaxy
detected.
Object 2: 00h05m06.82s +20d05m00.4s +-0.4", i'=22.6+-0.4; offset from apparent
host anonymous galaxy 0.56"W and 0.55"N, host magnitude i' = 21.5+-0.2 .
While the objects are visible on both CFHT i' frames, they are not visible on
Palomar images. No catalogued asteroid is associated with any object on the
frames. Given the wide area scanned, these objects may be supernovae not
associated with the GRB, or TNOs, or one of them can be associated with XRF
030824.
Images and first analysis of the frames are available at the following URL:
http://www.cesr.fr/~klotz/grb030824/cand.htm
New observations are underway at CFHT.
This message is citable
- GCN notice #2407
Y. Urata, T. Soyano, T. Tamagawa on behalf of the Kiso GRB team,
J. Jugaku (NAOJ), T. Kawamoto (Hokkaido University) report:
"We have observed XRF030824 field (M. Galassi et al. GCN 2402) using
the 105cm Schmidt telescope (Kiso Observatory, Institute of Astronomy,
the University of Tokyo) and 2kx2k CCD camera with 2 degree objective
prism from 76 to 153 min after the burst (from 16 min after HETE-2
alert).
We have checked two candidates reported by Klotz et al (GCN 2406)
comparing with Palomar images (Fox and Hunt GCN 2364 and 2369). We
could not find these two candidates brighter than R~17 limited
magnitude.
We have also observed this field again at the end of September using
the same instruments. Further analysis is in progress.
These images can be found at
http://cosmic.riken.go.jp/urata/XRF030824.gif
(left image: Kiso 2D spectrum image, right image: Palomar image).
We thank to Dr. D. Fox for suppling Palomar images."
This message may be cited.
- GCN notice #2418
A. Klotz, F. Malacrino, J.L. Atteia, M. Boer
(CESR-LAT/OMP Toulouse) communicate:
Additonal observations of the field of XRF 030824 (HETE 2821) have been
obtained with MEGAPRIME at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.
Two 800 sec exposures with i' filter, starting on Oct 3, 08:07 UT, and
Two 300 sec exposures with r' filter, starting on Oct 4, 06:57 UT
These data are being analyzed, in comparison with the data acquired
with MEGAPRIME on Sept 21st (i' filter, Klotz et al., GCN 2406) and with
the images of the Large Format Camera recorded on August 25 and 26th
(R filter, Fox et al., GCN 2364 & 2369)
A first result of these observations is to discard the two
sources mentioned in GCN 2406 as being possibly associated
with XRF 030824.
These objects where selected as being significantly
brighter in the September images than in the August images
(as expected for a SN associated with XRF 030824).
The new observations show that they are in fact very red objects,
very faint in R but clearly visible in all i' images, and not variable.
The whole set of observations is being re-analyzed to search for
or to constrain a possible supernova associated with XRF 030824.
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