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...alert372.shtml
Best,
Les D
Contributing Editor
AS&T