BAT-GLIMPSE (Gamma-ray Localization using Imaging and Mosaic techniques for Pointing and Slew Epochs) is a real-time data analysis pipeline developed for the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT). Its primary purpose is to detect and localize high-energy transients, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), with arcminute accuracy, including during spacecraft slews—intervals typically excluded from standard burst searches due to the complexity of data processing.
Key features
Low-Latency Transient Detection
BAT-GLIMPSE operates in real-time on the Penn State University (PSU) computing cluster, providing prompt identification of transient gamma-ray events to enable rapid multi-wavelength follow-up.
Slew-Phase Recovery via Mosaic Imaging
Employs advanced mosaic techniques to detect signals during spacecraft slews, significantly extending the observing time and improving sensitivity to short GRBs and other high-energy transients.
Arcminute-Scale Localization
Delivers rapid and accurate localizations by analyzing BAT sky images and detector plane data, enhancing the ability to trigger targeted observations with narrow-field instruments like Swift XRT.
Standard BAT Data Product Handling
Processes and interprets standard BAT outputs such as light curves, spectra, and sky maps, allowing for seamless integration with the broader Swift data ecosystem.
Multi-Order Skymap Compatibility
Supports the use of multi-resolution localization maps, enabling cross-matching with external sources like LIGO/Virgo sky maps or Fermi GRB positions for joint multi-messenger analysis.
Use case
BAT-GLIMPSE is designed to enhance the scientific return of the Swift mission by expanding its capabilities for transient detection and localization. It is especially valuable for:
- Detecting short GRBs during slews that would otherwise go unnoticed.
- Providing low-latency alerts for rapid electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational-wave events, fast radio bursts (FRBs), or high-energy neutrinos.
- Improving localization precision to support multi-messenger counterpart identification.
- Contributing to population studies of transient astrophysical phenomena by increasing detection statistics.
By recovering gamma-ray signals in complex observational conditions and delivering timely, high-precision localizations, BAT-GLIMPSE plays a crucial role in time-domain and multi-messenger astrophysics.
Link: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ace325