Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Rapid Release of Fermi Results

D. J. Thompson
S. Buson, S. Ciprini, D. Gasparrini, on behalf of the Fermi LAT Collaboration

Abstract:

One goal of any all-sky monitor like the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is to alert the astrophysical community quickly of any ?interesting? activity in the sky. The Fermi instrument teams have used a variety of methods to share information: GCN Notices for gamma-ray bursts and flaring active galactic nuclei; Astronomer?s Telegrams, weekly blogs, a multiwavelength mailing list (gammamw), and direct communication to groups such as the TeV community. Work is in progress to accelerate the processes in order to release such information more quickly. The primary processing of the data at the Mission Operations Center may be able to be shortened by improved computing. The LAT Pass 8 data allow quicklook analysis to be carried out on shorter time scales, down to a few hours, possibly with more efficient automation. Clustering analysis of the highest-energy gamma rays and from selected sources may reveal flares of particular interest more quickly than the standard analysis. These methods should allow some alerts to be sent on a time scale of half a day or less, compared to 1-2 days currently.