4 Conclusions

LOTIS is capable of detecting optical signals associated with GRBs as easily as 10 s. No optical signals were detected at $R_{\rm eq}=12.3$ after 10 s and at $R_{\rm eq}=14.2$ after 20 min for GRB 971227. No optical signals were detected at $R_{\rm eq}=15.0$ after 5 hours for GRB 980703. LOTIS runs continuously as weather permits.

In addition, we are constructing a dedicated and automated 0.6 m telescope system for GRB afterglow searches. This system is called Super-LOTIS and will be installed at Kitt Peak National Observatory by summer of 1999. The expected senstivity is $R\sim19$ with 30 s integration time; the response time will be <30 s. Coverage of early optical activity at this sensitivity level will provide important understanding of the GRB production mechanism.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under contract W-7405-ENG-48 to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.