Rapid GRB Follow-up with the 2-m Robotic Liverpool Telescope
Andreja Gomboc
We present the capabilities of the 2-m robotic Liverpool Telescope (LT), owned and operated by Liverpool John Moores University and situated at ORM, La Palma. Robotic control and scheduling of the LT make it especially powerful for observations in time domain astrophysics including: (i) rapid response to Targets of Opportunity: Gamma Ray Bursts, novae, supernovae, comets; (ii) monitoring of variable objects on timescales from seconds to years, and (iii) observations simultaneous or coordinated with other facilities, both ground-based and from space. Following a GRB alert from the Gamma Ray Observatories HETE-2, INTEGRAL and Swift we implement a special over-ride mode which enables observations to commence in about a minute after the alert, including optical and near infrared imaging and spectroscopy. In particular, the combination of aperture, site, instrumentation and rapid response (aided by its rapid slew and fully-opening enclosure) makes the LT excellently suited to help solving the mystery of the origin of optically dark GRBs, for the investigation of short bursts (which currently do not have any confirmed optical counterparts) and for early optical spectroscopy of the GRB phenomenon in general. We briefly describe the LT's key position in the RoboNet-1.0 network of robotic telescopes.
aipcheck.tex
%
% $Id: aipcheck.tex,v 1.7 2002/01/11 19:50:46 frank Exp $
%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
% Testing for potential problems with this class
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\newif\ifproblem
\newif\iftimesok

\makeatletter
\def\IfStandaloneCheck{\def\next{aipcheck}
  \edef\currjob{\jobname}
  \edef\next{\meaning\next}
  \edef\currjob{\meaning\currjob}
  \ifx\currjob\next
    \expandafter\@firstoftwo
  \else
    \expandafter\@secondoftwo
  \fi
}
\makeatother

\typeout{***********************************************}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Testing if all files required for the aipproc}
\typeout{* class are available ...}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{***********************************************}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for LaTeX2e ... }
\ifx\documentclass\undefined
 \typeout{*}
 \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
 \typeout{*}
 \typeout{* The aipproc class can only be used with LaTeX2e which is}
 \typeout{* the standard LaTeX since 1994!}
 \typeout{*}
 \typeout{* Please make sure that your version of LaTeX is up-to-date}
 \typeout{* before attempting to use this class.}
 \typeout{*}
 \expandafter\stop
\else
 \typeout{* ... ok }
\fi


\def\next#1/#2/#3\next{#1#2}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Testing that LaTeX2e is not too old ... }
\ifnum\expandafter\next\fmtversion\next<199612 \relax
 \typeout{* ... what a vintage! }
 \typeout{*}
 \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
 \typeout{*}
 \typeout{* The aipproc class can only be used with a recent version}
 \typeout{* of LaTeX2e. Your version is dated \fmtversion\space --- but}
 \typeout{* at least the 1996/12/01 version is required!}
 \typeout{*}
 \typeout{* Please make sure that your version of LaTeX is up-to-date}
 \typeout{* before attempting to use this class.}
 \typeout{*}
 \expandafter\stop
\else
 \ifnum\expandafter\next\fmtversion\next<199806 \relax
   \typeout{* ... probably ok }
   \typeout{*}
   \typeout{* Your version of LaTeX2e is quite old --- the aipproc class}
   \typeout{* hasn't been tested with your release.}
   \typeout{*}
   \typeout{* We believe that it will probably work, but if you encounter}
   \typeout{* problems you will need upgrade your installation.}
   \typeout{*}
   \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
   \problemtrue
 \else
   \typeout{* ... ok }
 \fi
\fi


\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for aipproc.cls ... }
\IfFileExists{aipproc.cls}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Before you can use the aipproc class you have to unpack}
     \typeout{* it from the documented source.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Run LaTeX on the file 'aipproc.ins', e.g.,}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* \space\space latex aipproc.ins}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* or whatever is necessary on your installation to process}
     \typeout{* a file with LaTeX. This should unpack a number of files for you:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* aipproc.cls \space and \space aip-*.clo}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* After that retry processing this guide.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for aipxfm.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{aipxfm.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The aipxfm.sty file which is part of the aipproc distribution}
     \typeout{* must be installed in a directory which is searched by LaTeX.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please install this file and retry.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for aip-8s.clo ... }
\IfFileExists{aip-8s.clo}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The aip-8s.clo file which is part of the aipproc distribution}
     \typeout{* must be installed in a directory which is searched by LaTeX.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please install this file and retry.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for aip-8d.clo ... }
\IfFileExists{aip-8d.clo}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The aip-8d.clo file which is part of the aipproc distribution}
     \typeout{* must be installed in a directory which is searched by LaTeX.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please install this file and retry.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
}


\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for aip-6s.clo ... }
\IfFileExists{aip-6s.clo}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The aip-6s.clo file which is part of the aipproc distribution}
     \typeout{* must be installed in a directory which is searched by LaTeX.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please install this file and retry.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
}


\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for aip-arlo.clo ... }
\IfFileExists{aip-arlo.clo}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The aip-arlo.clo file which is part of the aipproc distribution}
     \typeout{* must be installed in a directory which is searched by LaTeX.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please install this file and retry.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for fixltx2e.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{fixltx2e.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found, trying fix2col.sty instead ... }
     \typeout{*}
     \IfFileExists{fix2col.sty}
	 {
	  \typeout{* ... ok }
	 }
	 {
	  \typeout{* ... not found! }
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* Your LaTeX distribution contains neither fixltx2e.sty}
	  \typeout{* nor fix2col.sty.}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* This means that it is either too old or incompletely}
	  \typeout{* installed.}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* fixltx2e.sty is part of the standard LaTeX distribution}
	  \typeout{* since 1999; fix2col.sty is an earlier version of this}
	  \typeout{* package.}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* Best solution is to get the latest LaTeX distribution.}
	  \typeout{* If this is impossible for you, download fix2col.sty.}
	  \typeout{* You can get this software from a CTAN host.}
          \typeout{* Refer to http://www.ctan.org and search for "fix2col".}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* After you have updated your LaTeX distribution}
	  \typeout{* retry processing this guide.}
	  \stop
     }
}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for fontenc.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{fontenc.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fontenc package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (base distribution) has to be installed at the site to}
     \typeout{* run the aipproc class.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that it cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* improperly.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please make sure that your version of LaTeX is okay}
     \typeout{* before attempting to use this class. The LaTeX distribution}
     \typeout{* contains the file "ltxcheck.tex" which can be used to}
     \typeout{* test the basic functionality and integrity of your installation.}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
    }

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for calc.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{calc.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Sorry this is a fatal error:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The calc package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (tool distribution) has to be installed at the site}
     \typeout{* to run the aipproc class.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that it cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please make sure that the tools distribution of LaTeX}
     \typeout{* is installed before attempting to use this class.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* (You might be able to get calc.sty separately for your}
     \typeout{* installation if you are unable to upgrade to a recent}
     \typeout{* distribution for some reason.)}
     \typeout{*}
     \stop
    }

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for varioref.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{varioref.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
     \gdef\variorefoptionifavailable{varioref,}
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The varioref package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (tool distribution) is not installed at this site.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that it cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
     \typeout{* you cannot make use of the options "varioref" or "nonvarioref".}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please also note that the aipguide.tex documentation}
     \typeout{* normally uses the "varioref" option to show its}
     \typeout{* effects (which  will now fail).}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
     \problemtrue
     \gdef\variorefoptionifavailable{}
     \let\vpageref\pageref
     \let\vref\ref
    }

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for times.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{times.sty}
    {
     \begingroup
% load times and forget it immediately again
       \RequirePackage{times}
       \global\expandafter\let\csname ver@times.sty\endcsname\relax    
       \long\def\next{ptm}
       \ifx\rmdefault\next
         \typeout{* ... ok }
         \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{}
         \endgroup
         \timesoktrue
       \else
         \endgroup
     \typeout{* ... obsolete! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Serious problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The times package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (psnfss distribution) is obsolete at this site.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that it contains incorrect code either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts with old files remaining!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but}
     \typeout{* you have to specify the option "cmfonts" which result in}
     \typeout{* documents which are not conforming to the AIP layout specification!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can also try using the class in the following way:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* \space\space \string\documentclass[cmfonts]{aipproc}}
     \typeout{* \space\space \string\usepackage{times}}
     \typeout{* \space\space ...}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* With luck this will result in Times Roman output but chances}
     \typeout{* are that you will get a larger number of error messages in}
     \typeout{* which case you have to remove the \string\usepackage declaration.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
          \problemtrue
          \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{cmfonts}
          \def\textdegree{$^\circ$}            % used below but now
                                               % not setup
       \fi
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Serious problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The times package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (psnfss distribution) can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that this package cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
     \typeout{* you have to specify the option "cmfonts" which result in}
     \typeout{* documents which are not conforming to the AIP layout specification!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
     \problemtrue
     \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{cmfonts,}
    }

\iftimesok % don't bother testing other font options if times already
           % bad

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for t1ptm.fd or T1ptm.fd ... }
\IfFileExists{t1ptm.fd}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found, trying T1ptm.fd ... }
     \IfFileExists{T1ptm.fd}
          {
           \typeout{* ... ok }
          }
          {
           \typeout{* ... not found}
           \typeout{* Serious problem detected:}
           \typeout{*}
           \typeout{* The times package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
           \typeout{* (psnfss distribution) is available but the corresponding}
           \typeout{* .fd file (defining how to load Times Roman) is missing.}
           \typeout{*}
           \typeout{* The fact that this package is only partially installed}
           \typeout{* means that you LaTeX installation is unable to use Times}
           \typeout{* Roman fonts!}
           \typeout{*}
           \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
           \typeout{* you have to specify the option "cmfonts" which result in}
           \typeout{* documents which are not conforming to the AIP layout}
           \typeout{* specification!}
           \typeout{*}
           \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
           \problemtrue
           \timesokfalse
           \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{cmfonts,}
          }
    }

\fi


\newcommand\CheckFDFile[3]{%
  \typeout{*}
  \typeout{* Looking for #1#3.fd or #2#3.fd ... }
  \IfFileExists{#1#3.fd}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \IfFileExists{#2#3.fd}
      {
       \typeout{* ... ok }
      }
      {\problemtrue
       \typeout{* ... not found! }
      }
    }
}

\iftimesok % don't bother testing other font options if Times already bad

%\CheckFDFile{ot1}{OT1}{ot1ztmcm}
%\CheckFDFile{oml}{OML}{omlztmcm}
%\CheckFDFile{oms}{OMS}{omsztmcm}
%\CheckFDFile{omx}{OMX}{omxztmcm}

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for mathptm.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{mathptm.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
     \CheckFDFile{ot1}{OT1}{ptmcm}
     \CheckFDFile{oml}{OML}{ptmcm}
     \CheckFDFile{oms}{OMS}{pzccm}
     \CheckFDFile{omx}{OMX}{psycm}
     \ifproblem
      \typeout{*}
      \typeout{* Problem detected:}
      \typeout{*}
      \typeout{* The mathptm package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
      \typeout{* (psnfss distribution) was found but some or all of its}
      \typeout{* support files describing which fonts to load are missing!}
      \typeout{*}
      \typeout{*}
      \typeout{* The fact that this package is only partially installed}
      \typeout{* means that the mathptm package cannot be used!}
      \typeout{*}
      \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
      \typeout{* you have to specify the option "nomathfonts" so that}
      \typeout{* math formulas will be typeset using Computer Modern.}
      \typeout{*}
      \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
      \problemtrue
      \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{nomathfonts,}
     \else
      \typeout{*}
      \typeout{* Looking for mathptmx.sty ... }
      \IfFileExists{mathptmx.sty}
       {
        \typeout{* ... ok }
        \CheckFDFile{ot1}{OT1}{ztmcm}
        \CheckFDFile{oml}{OML}{ztmcm}
        \CheckFDFile{oms}{OMS}{ztmcm}
        \CheckFDFile{omx}{OMX}{ztmcm}
        \ifproblem
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* Problem detected:}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* The mathptmx package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
	  \typeout{* (psnfss distribution) was found but some or all of its}
	  \typeout{* support files describing which fonts to load are missing!}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* The fact that this package is only partially installed}
	  \typeout{* means that the mathptmx package cannot be used!}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
	  \typeout{* you have to specify the option "mathptm" (no x) so that}
	  \typeout{* math formulas use the older version with upright greek letters.}
	  \typeout{*}
	  \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
	  \problemtrue
	  \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{mathptm,}
        \fi
       }
       {
	\typeout{* ... not found! }
	\typeout{*}
	\typeout{* Problem detected:}
	\typeout{*}
	\typeout{* The mathptmx package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
	\typeout{* (psnfss distribution) can not be found.}
	\typeout{*}
	\typeout{* This is unfortunate but not a disaster as the older}
	\typeout{* version of the package "mathptm" (no x) seems to exist.}
	\typeout{*}
	\typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
	\typeout{* you have to specify the option "mathptm" so that}
	\typeout{* math formulas use the older version with upright greek letters.}
	\typeout{*}
	\typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
	\problemtrue
	\gdef\psnfssproblemoption{mathptm,}
       }
      \fi
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The mathptm package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (psnfss distribution) can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that this package cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
     \typeout{* you have to specify the option "nomathfonts" so that}
     \typeout{* math formulas will be typeset using Computer Modern.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
     \problemtrue
     \gdef\psnfssproblemoption{nomathfonts,}
    }

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for mathtime.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{mathtime.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The mathime package can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* This is not a serious problem because this package is}
     \typeout{* only of interest if you own the commerical MathTime fonts.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
     \typeout{* you cannot use the "mathtime" option of the class.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
     \problemtrue
    }
\else
\fi % iftimesok

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for graphicx.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{graphicx.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The graphics package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (graphics distribution) can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that this package cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
     \typeout{* you cannot use commands like \protect\includegraphics
                or \protect\resizebox}
     \typeout{* in this case.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Please note that you will get a further error message below}
     \typeout{* about: "graphicx.sty not found" because the class will try}
     \typeout{* to load this package! Type return in response to that error.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* As a result the illustrations in aipguide will look strange.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}

     \gdef\resizebox##1##2{}
     \gdef\includegraphics{\textbf{graphics package missing:}}
     \problemtrue
    }

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for textcomp.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{textcomp.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The textcomp package, which is part of standard LaTeX}
     \typeout{* (base distribution) can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The fact that this package cannot be found either means that}
     \typeout{* this LaTeX release is too old or that it was installed}
     \typeout{* only in parts!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* You can use the aipproc class without this package but }
     \typeout{* you will always get the error: "textcomp.sty not found"}
     \typeout{* because the class will try to load this package!}
     \typeout{* Type return in response to that error.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}

     \def\textdegree{$^\circ$}         % used below but now
                                       % not set up
     \problemtrue
    }


\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for url.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{url.sty}
    {
     \typeout{* ... ok }
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The url package, which should be part of a good LaTeX}
     \typeout{* distribution, can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Without this package you will not be able to use the \string\url}
     \typeout{* command. Try to download this package from a CTAN  host.}
     \typeout{* Refer to http://www.ctan.org and search for "url".}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}

     \problemtrue
    }


\makeatletter

\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Looking for natbib.sty ... }
\IfFileExists{natbib.sty}
    {
     \IfStandaloneCheck
       {\begingroup
        \let\@listi\relax
        \let\thebibliography\@empty
        \let\bibstyle\@empty
        \RequirePackage{natbib}
        \@ifpackagelater{natbib}{1999/05/29}
	  {
           \typeout{* ... ok }
	  }{
           \typeout{* ... might be too old! }
           \typeout{*}
           \typeout{* Your version of the natbib package might be too}
           \typeout{* old to be usable. This class was designed to}
           \typeout{* work with the version 7.0 dated 1999/05/28}
           \typeout{*}
           \typeout{* If problems occur download a}
           \typeout{* recent version from a CTAN host.}
           \typeout{*}
           \typeout{* Refer to http://www.ctan.org and search for "natbib".}
           \typeout{*}
           \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}

           \global\problemtrue
	  }
        \endgroup
        }{}
    }
    {
     \typeout{* ... not found! }
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Serious problem detected:}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* The natbib package, which should be part of a good LaTeX}
     \typeout{* distribution, can not be found.}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Without this package you will not be able to use certain}
     \typeout{* citation styles. See the aipguide documentation!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Especially the layout for ARLO requires this package!}
     \typeout{*}
     \typeout{* Try to download this package from a CTAN  host.}
     \typeout{* Refer to http://www.ctan.org and search for "natbib".}
     \typeout{*}
     \typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}

     \problemtrue
    }

\makeatother


\typeout{*}
\typeout{* ... finished testing}
\typeout{*}
\ifproblem
\typeout{* The tests have revealed some problems in your TeX installation.}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{* Please review the above comments carefully and read the file}
\typeout{* README for further information.}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{*****************************************************************}
\typein{* Type <return> to continue ...}
\else
\typeout{****************************************************************}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{* The tests have reveiled no problems in your TeX installation.}
\typeout{*}
\typeout{****************************************************************}
\fi


% if this file is run standalone stop otherwise continue

\makeatletter
\IfStandaloneCheck
 {
\typeout{*}
\typeout{* This document only produces terminal output.}
\typeout{*}
\stop
 }
 {
\AtBeginDocument{\relax\ifx\xfm@address@loop\@undefined
  \typeout{***************************}
  \typeout{* Oooops ... you seem to have picked up an obsolete}
  \typeout{* aipproc.cls file from a previous installation!}
  \typeout{*}
  \typeout{* Please check that LaTeX finds the right one.}
  \typeout{*}
  \typeout{* Sorry have to give up ....}
  \typeout{***************************}
  \stop
 \fi}
 }
\makeatother

\endinput

gomboc.tex
%%
%% This is file `template-6s.tex',
%% generated with the docstrip utility.
%%
%% The original source files were:
%%
%% template.raw  (with options: `6s')
%% 
%% Template for the LaTeX class aipproc.
%% 
%% (C) 1998,2000,2001 American Institute of Physics and Frank Mittelbach
%% All rights reserved
%% 
%%
%% $Id: template.raw,v 1.11 2004/10/31 08:06:14 frank Exp $
%%

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% Please remove the next line of code if you
%% are satisfied that your installation is
%% complete and working.
%%
%% It is only there to help you in detecting
%% potential problems.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\input{aipcheck}

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% SELECT THE LAYOUT
%%
%% The class supports further options.
%% See aipguide.pdf for details.
%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\documentclass[
    ,final            % use final for the camera ready runs
%%  ,draft            % use draft while you are working on the paper
%%  ,numberedheadings % uncomment this option for numbered sections
%%  ,                 % add further options here if necessary
  ]
  {aipproc}

\layoutstyle{6x9}

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% FRONTMATTER
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\begin{document}

\title{Rapid GRB Follow-up with the 2-m Robotic Liverpool Telescope}

\classification{95.55.Fw, 98.70.Rz}
\keywords      {Gamma Ray Bursts, Afterglows, Robotic Telescopes}

\author{Andreja Gomboc}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
  ,altaddress={University in Ljubljana, Slovenia}
}

\author{Michael F. Bode}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}

\author{David Carter}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
 % ,altaddress={<author1 address>} % additional visiting address
}
\author{Cristiano Guidorzi}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}
\author{Alessandro Monfardini}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}
\author{Carole G. Mundell}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}
\author{Andrew M. Newsam}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}
\author{Robert J. Smith}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}
\author{Iain A. Steele}{
  address={Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK}
}
\author{John Meaburn}{
  address={University of Manchester, UK}
}

\begin{abstract}
 We present the capabilities of the 2-m robotic Liverpool Telescope (LT), owned and operated by 
 Liverpool John Moores University and situated at ORM, La Palma.
 Robotic control and scheduling of the LT make it especially powerful for observations in 
 time domain astrophysics including: (i) rapid response to Targets of Opportunity: Gamma Ray Bursts, novae,  supernovae, 
 comets; (ii) monitoring of variable objects on timescales from seconds to years, and (iii) 
 observations simultaneous or coordinated with other facilities, both ground-based and from space.
 Following a GRB alert from the Gamma Ray Observatories HETE-2, INTEGRAL and Swift 
 we implement a special over-ride mode which enables observations 
 to commence in about a minute after the alert, including optical and near infrared imaging and 
 spectroscopy. In particular, the combination of aperture, site, instrumentation and rapid response 
 (aided by its rapid slew and fully-opening enclosure) makes the LT excellently suited to help 
 solving the mystery of the origin of optically dark GRBs, for the investigation of short bursts 
 (which currently do not have any confirmed optical counterparts) and for early optical spectroscopy 
 of the GRB phenomenon in general. 
We briefly describe the LT's key position in the RoboNet-1.0 network of robotic telescopes.
\end{abstract}

\maketitle

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% MAINMATTER
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\section{Early GRB Afterglows in Optical and Infra-Red}
\subsection{Bright Optical Afterglows of Long GRBs}
 GRB990123 is the famous case of a prompt optical flash. Although detected more than 5 years ago it is still 
one of the very few (so far, only 4) optical afterglows (GRB 990123, 021004, 021211, 030418) 
that were detected 
a few minutes after the gamma ray burst. 
However, early GRB afterglows are essential in the study of extreme physics
of ultra-relativistic flows and shocks and provide unique probes of the circum-burst 
medium and the nature of GRB progenitors.

In general, optical afterglows fade according to a power law $F\sim t^{\alpha}$
with power law index $\alpha$ between -0.6 and -2.3 \cite{Grei04}.
But in some cases, such as GRB 021004, dense photometric coverage revealed
additional light curve structure on short timescales as well as colour changes 
in early optical afterglows. 
According to different models such fluctuations could be related to phenomena in jets, circum-burst medium
or renewed activity of the central engine \cite{Bers03}, \cite{Lazz02}. 

Among the most important issues regarding the origin and overall energetics of GRBs are achromatic breaks
observed in some light curves a few hours to a few days after the GRB. Interpreted as due to beaming, 
they indicate jet opening angles of a few degrees and have led to evidence that most GRBs have a standard energy
reservoir \cite{Frai01}.
In a number of cases though, the exact time of the break is controversial due to insufficiently dense
sampling of the light curve.


\subsection{Optically Dark GRBs}
Contrary to X-ray afterglows, which are detected in most well localized GRBs, 
optical afterglows were so far observed in approximately half of them. These missing afterglows are 
usually referred to as "optically dark".
Although small robotic telescopes provide fast magnitude upper limits, these usually do not go deep enough
to be conclusive. It is still an open question whether 
dark optical afterglows are merely observationally overlooked or not detected due to some of their properties.
Their non-detection could be, for example, due to the fact that they are 
intrinsically faint or initially bright but very rapidly fading. 
Other explanations include heavy dust obscuration in host galaxies or
their position at high redshifts of z=5 - 10.
The latter possibility is extremely interesting since GRBs at such high redshifts would provide a unique 
cosmological probe of star formation and galaxy evolution in the early universe. 
To solve the mystery of dark bursts,  
rapid observations in infrared wavelengths are of key importance.

\subsection{Afterglows of Short GRBs}
For short GRBs no unambiguous afterglow has been
detected so far and their nature remains an enigma. 
The favourite model is a binary neutron star - neutron star or
neutron star - black hole merger, although no evidence is available to prove or disprove this. 
It has been predicted \cite{Pana01} 
that their early optical afterglows may be much fainter than those of long GRBs:
20 - 23 magnitude initially and fading to 25 - 28 magnitude after a day, indicating that rapid and
deep follow-up in the optical may again play a crucial role.

\subsection{X-ray Flashes}
A special class of objects, which seem to be related to GRBs are X-Ray Flashes (XRFs): they are similar
to GRBs in many characteristics of their prompt emission with the main difference that they peak in X-rays
instead of gamma rays. 
In the optical, several afterglows (XRF 020903, XRF030723 \cite{Sode02}, \cite{Fox03}) 
and host galaxies (XRF 011030, XRF 020427 \cite{Bloo03}) were detected. 
More observations in the near future will hopefully contribute to clarifying the XRF and GRB 
similarities and relationship and, 
on the other hand, also the issue of their differences: i. e. whether they differ due to different total energy, 
structure of the jet, progenitor's size, redshift, etc.

\vspace{0.5cm}
In view of the many open issues briefly outlined here and the fact that only a handful of optical 
afterglows were observed within a 
few minutes or even an hour after the GRB, it is obvious that early 
multi-colour optical and infrared photometry and spectroscopy can provide valuable information and help 
better to understand the nature of GRBs and their afterglows.


\section{The Liverpool Telescope}
\begin{figure}
  \includegraphics[height=.29\textheight]{gomboc1.eps}
      \caption{The Liverpool Telescope at ORM, La Palma, Canary Islands.}
      \label{LT}
\end{figure}


The Liverpool Telescope (LT, see Fig. \ref{LT}) is situated at Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma in the Canaries and is operated by Liverpool 
John Moores University as a National facility under the auspice of PPARC. One of its noticeable characteristics is the clam-shell enclosure, which is fully opening. 
The benefits of such an enclosure are the minimization of the dome seeing, fast thermal equilibrium (reached in less than 30 min) and,
particularly important in GRB follow-up, the short response time, since there is no need to wait for the dome to slew.
Drawbacks are 
potential for windshake and the fact that in case of the enclosure breakdown, the telescope is totally
exposed to weather conditions. Windshake is minimised by the 'stiff' structure of the telescope design and the enclosure has 
battery back-up in the event of power failure.

Other telescope specifications are: 2-m primary mirror, final focal ratio f/10,
altitude-azimuth design, image quality < 0.4" on axis, pointing < 2arcsec rms,
slew rate of 2$^o$/sec, five instrument ports (4 folded and one straight-through, selected by a deployable, 
rotating mirror in the AG Box within 30s) and robotic (unmanned) operation with automated scheduler.


\begin{table}[htb]
\caption{The Liverpool Telescope instrumentation }
\label{tableLT}
\begin{tabular}{ll}
\hline
{\it RATCam} Optical CCD Camera - & 2048$\times$2048 pixels, 0.135"/pixel, FOV 4.6'$\times$4.6', \\
  & 8 filter selections (u', g', r', i', z', B, V, ND2.0) \\
 & - from LT first light, July 2003 \\
 \hline
 {\it SupIRCam} 1 - 2.5 micron Camera - & 256$\times$256 pixels, 0.4"/pixel, FOV 1.7'$\times$1.7', \\
  (with Imperial College) & Z, J, H, K' filters - from late 2004 \\
  \hline
 {\it Prototype Spectrograph} - & 49, 1.7" fibres, 512$\times$512 pixels, R=1000; \\
  (with University of Manchester) & 3500 $<$ $\lambda$ $<$ 7000 \AA - from 2005 \\
  \hline
 {\it FRODOSpec} Integral field  & R=4000, 8000; \\
  double beam spectrograph - & 4000 $<$ $\lambda$ $<$ 9500 \AA - from 2006 \\
  (with University of Southampton) & \\
\hline
\end{tabular}\\[2pt]
\end{table}

At present, instrumentation (Table \ref{tableLT}) includes Optical and Infrared cameras. A prototype low resolution 
spectrograph will be commissioned in 2005 and a higher resolution spectrograph is being developed for 2006.

The telescope began science operations in January 2004 and after the enclosure hydraulics 
upgrade in summer 2004, the LT is entering fully robotic mode. It is expected that the telescope 
will operate in a fully autonomous way (without human intervention) from the beginning of 2005.

Science programmes running on the LT are diverse, but due to
robotic control \cite{Fras02} and automated scheduling \cite{Stee97}, \cite{Fras04} the LT is 
especially suited for: 
\begin{itemize}
\item{rapid response to Targets of Opportunity (GRBs, novae,  supernovae, comets);}
\item{monitoring of variable objects on timescales from seconds to years 
	(follow-up of the ToO, active galactic nuclei, gravitational lenses etc.);}
\item{observations simultaneous or coordinated with other facilities, both ground-based and from space;}
\item{condition (e.g. seeing, photometricity) dependent or time critical (e.g. binary phase) 
observations.}
\end{itemize}

\begin{figure}
  \includegraphics[height=.44\textheight]{gomboc2.eps}
      \caption{Optical afterglows detected in first minutes and hours after the GRB. 
      Vertical lines indicate typical times of first observations with LT instrumentation.
      (Magnitudes and times are taken from GCN Circulars and are intended for illustrative 
      purpose only.)
}
\end{figure}

\section{Rapid GRB Follow up observations with the Liverpool Telescope}

The GRB programme on the LT takes advantage of the telescope's robotic control:
following receipt of GRB alert from the GCN, the Robotic Control System interrupts ongoing observations,
applies over-ride
mode and starts with GRB observations according to the basic GRB follow-up strategy, 
which presented in simple terms proceeds through following steps:

\begin{itemize}
\item{slew to the position given in GCN alert;}
\item{start optical imaging in about 1 min;}
\item{try to identify the optical transient by comparison with the USNO catalogue or by image subtraction;}
\item{if no candidate afterglow in the optical is detected, continue observations in the infrared;}
\item{if an optical transient is reliably identified:}
\begin{itemize}
   \item{continue with multicolour imaging with intervening spectroscopy (if the optical transient 
   is brighter than magnitude 15 for prototype spectrograph and 19 for
FRODO spectrograph);}
   \item{issue a GCN Circular;}
   \item{trigger larger facilities.}
\end{itemize}

\end{itemize}

The advantages of the LT in comparison with smaller robotic telescopes in GRB follow-up are larger aperture and
deeper observations, the number of filters, infrared
imaging and the possibility of early spectroscopy. These make it particularly suitable for study of: 
\begin{itemize}
\item{afterglows of short GRBs,}
\item{afterglows of optically dark GRBs,}
\item{prompt optical flashes,}
\item{early optical GRB spectrometry, and}
\item{statistical properties of GRBs and their afterglows}.
\end{itemize}

With approximately 25 percent of GRBs occurring at night over La Palma and 70$^\circ$ maximal zenith distance
observable by the LT, we expect to follow-up 1 in 6 GRBs immediately following the alert.
We plan to monitor GRB afterglows at later stages depending on their scientific significance and in 
collaboration with other facilities, including the Faulkes Telescopes as part of RoboNet-1.0.  

\section{RoboNet-1.0 Network of Robotic Telescopes}

RoboNet-1.0 is a project to use a network of three large robotic telescopes: the LT and two Faulkes Telescopes,
which are almost exact clones of the LT. The Faulkes Telescope North (FTN) is situated at Maui in Hawaii
and has been operating since the end of 2003. Faulkes Telescope South (FTS), situated at Siding Spring, Australia,
achieved first light in September 2004. They are financed mainly by 
the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust and are intended for use by UK schools. They are usually in the remote control
mode (operated through the Telescope Management Centre in Liverpool or from schools), but can also operate in 
the fully robotic mode, identical to the LT's. Most of the observing time is
intended for use by UK school children, but some time is available also to the research community. 

This is the core of the 
RoboNet-1.0 project , which is funded by the UK PPARC and includes members of 10 UK university teams in 
Cardiff, Exeter, Hertfordshire, Leicester, Liverpool JMU, Manchester, MSSL, QUB, St. Andrews and 
Southampton. Funds were approved for acquisition of time on FTN and FTS 
for observations on extra-solar
planets and GRBs (in the latter case, 275 hours over next 2.5 years, which covers most of Swift's expected lifetime).
The principal technological aim of the project is to integrate LT, FTN and FTS into a global network of telescopes to act as a single instrument. 
The primary research areas of the project, including GRBs, will greatly benefit from the increased sky and time coverage provided by such a network.



\begin{theacknowledgments}
The Liverpool Telescope is funded via EU, PPARC, JMU grants and the benefaction of Mr. A. E. Robarts.
AG and CG acknowledge the receipt of the Marie Curie Fellowship from the EU and MFB is grateful to the 
UK PPARC for provision of a Senior Fellowship.
\end{theacknowledgments}

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% The bibliography can be prepared using the BibTeX program or
%% manually.
%%
%% The code below assumes that BibTeX is used.  If the bibliography is
%% produced without BibTeX comment out the following lines and see the
%% aipguide.pdf for further information.
%%
%% For your convenience a manually coded example is appended
%% after the \end{document}
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% You may have to change the BibTeX style below, depending on your
%% setup or preferences.
%%
%%
%% For The AIP proceedings layouts use either
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

%\bibliographystyle{aipproc}   % if natbib is available
%\bibliographystyle{aipprocl} % if natbib is missing

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% You probably want to use your own bibtex database here
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%\bibliography{sample}

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% Just a reminder that you may have to run bibtex
%% All of it up to \end{document} can be removed
%% if you don't like the warning.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%\IfFileExists{\jobname.bbl}{}
% {\typeout{}
%  \typeout{******************************************}
%  \typeout{** Please run "bibtex \jobname" to optain}
%  \typeout{** the bibliography and then re-run LaTeX}
%  \typeout{** twice to fix the references!}
%  \typeout{******************************************}
%  \typeout{}
% }

%\end{document}

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% The following lines show an example how to produce a bibliography
%% without the help of the BibTeX program. This could be used instead
%% of the above.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

\begin{thebibliography}{9}

\bibitem{Grei04}
J. Greiner, http://www.mpe.mpg.de/~jcg/grbolc.html.

\bibitem{Bers03} 
D. Bersier et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{584}, L43--L46 (2003).

\bibitem{Lazz02}
D. Lazzati et al., \emph{A\&A}, \textbf{396}, L5--L9, (2002).

\bibitem{Frai01}
D.A. Frail et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{562}, L55--L58 (2001).

\bibitem{Pana01}
A. Panaitescu et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{561}, L171--L174 (2001).

\bibitem{Sode02}
A. M. Soderberg et al., GCN Notice 1554 (2002).

\bibitem{Fox03}
D. B. Fox et al., GCN Notice 2323 (2003).

\bibitem{Bloo03}
J.S. Bloom et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{599}, 957--963 (2003).

\bibitem{Fras02}
S. N. Fraser and I. A. Steele, ``Object oriented design of the Liverpool Telescope Robotic 
Control System,`` in \emph{Advanced Telescope and Instrumentation Control Software II}, edited by
Lewis, Hilton, Proceedings of the SPIE, 2002, \textbf{4848}, pp. 443--454. 

\bibitem{Stee97}
I. A. Steele and D. Carter, ``Control software and scheduling of the Liverpool Robotic Telescope,``
in \emph{Telescope Control Systems II}, edited by
Lewis, Hilton, Proceedings of the SPIE, 1997, \textbf{3112}, pp. 223--233. 

\bibitem{Fras04}
S. N. Fraser and I. A. Steele, ``Robotic telescope scheduling: the Liverpool Telescope experience,``
in \emph{Ground-based Telescopes}, edited by Oschmann, Jacobus M., Jr.,
Proceedings of the SPIE, 2004, \textbf{5493}, pp. 331--340. 


\end{thebibliography}

%\endinput
%%
%% End of file `template-6s.tex'.
\end{document}
astro-ph0412412.extracted_bib
\begin{thebibliography}{9}

\bibitem{Grei04}
J. Greiner, http://www.mpe.mpg.de/~jcg/grbolc.html.

\bibitem{Bers03} 
D. Bersier et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{584}, L43--L46 (2003).

\bibitem{Lazz02}
D. Lazzati et al., \emph{A\&A}, \textbf{396}, L5--L9, (2002).

\bibitem{Frai01}
D.A. Frail et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{562}, L55--L58 (2001).

\bibitem{Pana01}
A. Panaitescu et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{561}, L171--L174 (2001).

\bibitem{Sode02}
A. M. Soderberg et al., GCN Notice 1554 (2002).

\bibitem{Fox03}
D. B. Fox et al., GCN Notice 2323 (2003).

\bibitem{Bloo03}
J.S. Bloom et al., \emph{ApJ}, \textbf{599}, 957--963 (2003).

\bibitem{Fras02}
S. N. Fraser and I. A. Steele, ``Object oriented design of the Liverpool Telescope Robotic 
Control System,`` in \emph{Advanced Telescope and Instrumentation Control Software II}, edited by
Lewis, Hilton, Proceedings of the SPIE, 2002, \textbf{4848}, pp. 443--454. 

\bibitem{Stee97}
I. A. Steele and D. Carter, ``Control software and scheduling of the Liverpool Robotic Telescope,``
in \emph{Telescope Control Systems II}, edited by
Lewis, Hilton, Proceedings of the SPIE, 1997, \textbf{3112}, pp. 223--233. 

\bibitem{Fras04}
S. N. Fraser and I. A. Steele, ``Robotic telescope scheduling: the Liverpool Telescope experience,``
in \emph{Ground-based Telescopes}, edited by Oschmann, Jacobus M., Jr.,
Proceedings of the SPIE, 2004, \textbf{5493}, pp. 331--340. 


\end{thebibliography}