The Highest Energy Phenomena in the Universe Final Report 95 ERI - 008

One of the most enduring and frustrating mysteries in astrophysics is the nature of the cosmic gamma-ray burst (GRB). GRB’s were first reported in the 1970’s, and since then have been observed from over a dozen different satellites. Two recently launched satellites have revolutionized this field. One, the most sensitive, is known as the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO). This orbiting observatory carries an experiment known as the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE), which was intended to help elucidate the nature and origin of GRB’s. The other is the Italian-Dutch satellite Beppo-SAX, which is substantially less sensitive than BATSE, but can provide greatly superior positional accuracy for the GRBs it detects. The purpose of this LDRD project was to maximize the combined return of these satellites and two ground-based programs (MACHO [Massive Compact Halo Objects] and LOTIS [Livermore Optical Transient Imaging System]), which LLNL largely controls. We have been successful in designing and implementing real-time response systems, and have successfully responded to GRBs with the MACHO Telescope System.