Gamma-ray bursts are one of the greatest mysteries of
modern astronomy. At present, we don't know what causes them, where
they come from nor when they will occur. Teams of international
astronomers are working together to solve the mystery of the gamma-ray
burst. The communication power of the Internet allows them to rapidly
share information gathered by equipment aboard orbiting satellites and
by instruments that are based on the ground. Ground based telescopes
and cameras in locations around the world gather information that will
help scientists find a solution to the gamma-ray burst mystery. The
names and locations of several of the ground-based instruments that
make up the Gamma-Ray Burst Coordinates Network (GCN) are listed
below. Can you place them in their correct geographic locations? Read
the geographic location of each instrument, and then carefully study
the map on the following page. Use your knowledge of geography to
correctly place the letter that precedes the name of each instrument
in the circle at the correct map location.
A. William Herschel Telescope, La Palma Observatory; Canary Islands
B.The Very Large Telescope, European Southern Observatory; Paranel, Chile
C. Very Long Baseline Array – system of ten remotely controlled radio
telescopes Socorro, New Mexico
D.Mauna Kea, Hawaii
E. Brewster, Washington
F.Pie Town, New Hampshire
G. St. Croix, Virgin Islands
H. Owens Valley, California
I. North Liberty, Iowa
J. Kitt Peak, Arizona
K. Fort Davis, Texas
L. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory; Cerro Tololo, Chile
M. Bradford Robotic Telescope; Bradford, England
N. Beijing Observatory; Beijing, China
O. The Automated Patrol Telescope; Siding Spring Observatory, Australia
P. Special Astrophysical Observatory; Zelenchukskaya, Russia
Q. Akeno Giant Air Shower Array; Akeno, Japan
R. Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array; Antarctica
S. Telescope a Action Rapide pour les Objects Transitoires; France
Download a pdf version.