Observation of the bright Gamma-Ray Burster GRB 030329

On March 30, 2003 we succeeded in observing GRB 030329, an extremely bright Gamma Ray Burster that was discovered with the HETE satellite on Mar. 29.484 UT and that is located at R.A. = 10h44m50s, Decl. = +21o31'18" (equinox 2000.0). 

This was the brightest GRB ever detected by HETE and ranked among the brightest 1 percent of all GRBs previously detected. The object was intensively monitored by both professional and amateur astronomers, in multiple wavelengths. It reached a maximum brightness of about V 12.5.

We managed to obtain the image at right on March 30, 2003 at 23h56m UT. This is nearly 1.5 days after the discovery of the burst, and still the object was clearly visible in our unfiltered CCD image. It's estimated magnitude was mag 16.8.

Composition of 3 images, each 90 sec exposed
0.35-m f/6.3 SCT telescope with SBIG ST-7 CCD
CBA Belgium Observatory

 
For a description of the present understanding on GRB's, click here
More information on the GRB Coordinate Network (GCN) can be found here.

 

 
 

 

 

Copyright © 2003 - Tonny Vanmunster.