TAROT: Robotic observatories for gamma‐ray bursts and other sources

Abstract

Abstract TAROT (Télescopes à Action Rapide pour les Objets Transitoires) are two robotic observatories designed to observe the early optical counterpart of gamma‐ray bursts (GRBs) sources. As GRBs do not occur often, we use TAROT to observe other celestial targets: variable stars, minor‐planets, supernovae, etc. In this paper we present the software tools presently used to manage the observations and to process and archive the data. We present also CADOR (Coordination et Analyse des Données des Observatoires Robotiques) which will centralize virtual observatory services associated to both TAROT telescopes. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)