Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 138, 561-562

The BeppoSAX sub-second bursts project

M.J.S. Smith^1,2 - G. Gandolfi¹ - G. Celidonio¹ - A. Coletta¹ - G. D'Andreta¹ - L. Di Ciolo¹ - A. Paolino¹ - R. Ricci¹ - G. Tarei¹ - A. Tesseri¹ - V. Torroni¹ - E. Costa⁴ - M. Feroci⁴ - F. Frontera³ - J. Heise² - J.M. Muller^2,5 - L. Piro⁴

1 - BeppoSAX Scientific Operation Centre, Telespazio s.p.a., Via Corcolle 19, 00131 Roma, Italy
2 - Space Research Organization Netherlands, Sorbonnelaan 2, 3584 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands
3 - Istituto di Tecnologie e Studio delle Radiazioni Extraterrestri (CNR), Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
4 - Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale (CNR), Area Ricerca Roma Tor Vergata, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Roma, Italy
5 - BeppoSAX Science Data Centre, Telespazio s.p.a., Via Corcolle 19, 00131 Roma, Italy
e-mail: socbox@saxnet.sdc.asi.it

Received January 21; accepted June 22, 1999

Abstract:

Sub-second GRBs have been identified as a separate class of gamma ray transients. However, despite recent advances in the field, sub-second GRB counterparts have yet to be found successfully. In order to explore the nature of these fast transients an on-line procedure is to be implemented at the BeppoSAX Scientific Operation Centre. The main objectives are the identification of true events and rapid position determination of their X-ray counterparts.

Key words: gamma-rays: bursts