Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
IAUC 6384: GRB 960409 AND C/1996 B2; 1996X
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Circular No. 6384
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
Postal Address: Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
IAUSUBS@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or FAX 617-495-7231 (subscriptions)
BMARSDEN@CFA.HARVARD.EDU or DGREEN@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science)
Phone 617-495-7244/7440/7444 (for emergency use only)
GRB 960409 AND COMET C/1996 B2 (HYAKUTAKE)
T. E. Harrison, New Mexico State University (NMSU); S. D.
Barthelmy, Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and
Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA; K. Hurley, University of
California at Berkeley; G. J. Fishman, C. Kouveliotou (also USRA),
and C. Meegan, Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA; R. M. Kippen,
University of New Hampshire; B. J. McNamara, NMSU, report: "The
gamma-ray burst GRB 960409 fortuitously occurred near the position
of comet C/1996 B2. Thus there is the high probability that some
C/1996 B2 observers may have serendipitously imaged the GRB error
box while the burst was in progress, or shortly thereafter. The
burst started at Apr. 9.89243 UT and lasted 105 s, with the peak
emission at Apr. 9.89289. The Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) BATSE
team location is R.A. = 2h50m30s, R.A. = +41o54'.6, with a total
(statistical + systematic) error radius of 2o.1. This location is
2o.6 away from the comet's location at the time of the burst. The
IPN annulus is centered at R.A. = 10h19m48s, R.A. = +68o54'28"; it
has a radius of 58o.1736 and a total width of 0o.18. The
intersection of the IPN annulus and the BATSE error circle defines
the corners of a error region with a confidence level of 95 percent:
R.A. = 3h01m18s.7, R.A. = +41o22'36"; 2h40m43s.6, +42o59'59";
3h01m31s.7, +41o33'19"; 2h41m16s.7, +43o09'10" (equinox 2000.0).
The separation of the BATSE location and the annulus point-of-
closest-approach is 0o.39. The burst was independently localized
by GRO/COMPTEL with a marginal detection (2.5-sigma significance);
the COMPTEL localization is consistent with the BATSE and IPN
locations (see the map at http://wwwgro.unh.edu/bursts). We
strongly encourage researchers to analyze their images for
transient objects. The importance of deep images of the GRB error
box during the burst can not be overstressed. Please note that
for images made while tracking the comet, any transient emission
from the GRB source object is likely to be short enough not to be
trailed as much as the field stars. Images with limiting magitudes
> 9 will set new upper limits on the GRB-related optical emission.
For further information, please contact T. Harrison at telephone
505-646-3628 (email tharriso@nmsu.edu)."
SUPERNOVA 1996X IN NGC 5061
Visual magnitude estimates: Apr. 15.27 UT, 13.2 (A. Hale,
Cloudcroft, NM); 18.94, 13.6 (D. Rodriguez, Madrid, Spain); 18.94,
13.6 (J. M. San Juan, Madrid, Spain); 18.95, 13.5 (J. Carvajal,
Madrid, Spain).
(C) Copyright 1996 CBAT
1996 April 19 (6384) Daniel W. E. Green
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