Optical counter-parts of Gamma Ray Bursts

Abstract

Gamma Ray Bursts (GRB'S) being the most energetic astronomical phenomena known to date still pose a formidable challenge to astronomers. The BATSE on board the Compton Observatory (CGRO) launched in 1991, has shown that GRB's are unlikely to be of galactic origin. More recently, the launching of the X-ray satellites viz. Beppo SAX and RXTE enabled astronomers to locate GRB's rapidly and accurately leading to the discovery of their counter-parts in other wavelengths like X-ray, optical and radio. This has been a breakthrough in understanding the origin of GRB's. These observations led to the possibility of GRB's being extra-galactic in origin, the farthest source being at a redshift of ~5.0. The optical counter-parts of GRB's have been very faint and fading rapidly with time. This necessitates the use of a large optical telescope like the proposed 10m telescope (GTC). In this paper we will discuss the need for a large telescope for GRB astronomy which can lead to discoveries resulting in the complete understanding of the origin of GRB's.