Rapid Localizations of Bursts

Since a fast and accurate localization of the burst is fundamental for early detecting the afterglow (when there is one), the main experiments with localizing capabilities deserve to be mentioned; particular attention has been paid to the WFCs aboard BeppoSAX, widely described in the next chapter, and to the IPN, to which the GRBM/BeppoSAX has been giving an important contribution, since these are among the most important users of the on-line quest. An overview of the current experiments, that either contribute to localize bursts by themselves or join the IPN, follows.

The Gamma-ray bursts Coordinates Network (GCN) and the BATSE COordinates DIstribution NEtwork (BACODINE), maintained by Scott Barthelmy (NASA GSFC), are the electronic networks, that have been supplying a fast and effective service for promptly delivering the GRB coordinates and suitable for exchanging important data about the GRBs and their afterglows from multi-wavelengths observations. Despite the original name, specific for BATSE, BACODINE involves several satellites circulars, that, together with the International Astronomical Union Circulars (IAUCs), are the most widely-circulated e-mail and web notices.