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ngcles
21-03-2008, 03:52 PM
Hi All,

It seems there was a (possible) naked-eye gamma-ray burst at 0600hrs UT on 19 March 2008 at the position:

RA: 14 31 40.98 , Dec: +36 18 8.8 (J2000)

from a source that may be 7.5g ly distant in the constellation of Bootes not too far from Gamma Bootis (Seginus).

The GRB was recorded in gamma-rays, x-rays and visible light and may, at the onset have attained a v mag of +5.76.

Because of the timing of the outburst (about 5pm EDST in Sydney), the outburst would _not_ have been visible in Australasia, but as observers worldwide are members of this group, I am bringing it to your attention because, to quote the AAVSO alert:

"Observers with any images of this field taken since 2008 March 19 0600 UT
are urgently asked to check these images for optical transients. This
includes wide-field images, sky and meteor patrol images, and any and
all CCD imaging, filtered or not"

The full AAVSO alert is here:

http://www.aavso.org:80/publications/alerts/alert372.shtml

Best,

Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T

Ric
22-03-2008, 11:58 PM
Hi Les, there is a short clip capturing the burst here. It's pretty amazing stuff.

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/21/see-that-record-breaking-gamma-ray-burst-go-video/

Cheers

GrahamL
23-03-2008, 09:04 AM
incredible stuff :)..and we worry about a little old comet crashing into us

Eta Carinae isn't quite big enough to do that ..is it ?