TAROT: Observing gamma-ray bursts "in progress"

The primary objective of the Telescope a Action Rapide pour les Objets Tran sitoires (TAROT - Rapid Action Telescope for Transient Objects) observatory is the detection of cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst sources at optical wavelengths while still active in Gamma-rays. It features a very rapid slewing mount, a 25 cm aperture telescope with a 2 x 2 deg. fov, and is able to reach the 1 7th V magnitude in 10 s. A powerful scheduling algorithm, and an automated data processing system makes TAROT a fully autonomous facility. TAROT enter ed into service during the fall of 1998.