OPTICAL TRANSIENT MONITOR

The experiment for detection of optical flashes related to gamma-ray b ursts is briefly described and discussed. The aim of the proposal is t o develop a reliable monitoring service at optical wavelengths and to solve the question whether or not the gamma-ray bursts are accompanied by optical emissions. The detection of these phenomena at optical wav elengths could significantly help to answer the question of the physic al nature of gamma-ray bursters (still unknown). The Optical Transient Monitor (OTM) represents a low-cost automatic operation experiment wi th good time resolution, medium sensitivity, low (0.1-degrees) angular resolution, and excellent background elimination. A double CCD camera with wide-field lenses will monitor approximately 13% of the full sky hemisphere for optical transient phenomena. Two such systems are plan ned, separated by 100 km to be able to eliminate all effects in the Ea rth's atmosphere and nearby space.