Observations of gamma-ray bursts and a supernovae search at the robotic telescope MASTER

Abstract

We present here the results of observations made during 2005–2006 using the robotic telescope MASTER. The world's first observations of the optical emission of gamma-ray bursts GRB050824 and GRB060926 are shown. Our data combined with later observations give the law of brightness as proportional to t 0.55±0.05 for GRB050824. We discovered an optical flare for GRB060926 at about 500–700 s. The power law spectral index (F∝ E −β) is equal to β=0.7±0.2. During the sky survey we have imaged more than 90% of the observable sky. Also we discovered three supernovae (SNs): SN2005bv of type Ia (this is the first SN discovered in Russia), SN2005ee (which is one of the brightest type II SN stars) and SN2006ak (type Ia).