Robotic Telescope unravels mystery of cosmic blasts

Figure showing the links between the gamma ray burst detection and follow up observations. (1) Gamma Ray Burst, GRB 060418, explodes and emits high-energy gamma rays. (2) and (3) Swift satellite detects gamma rays and sends notification of sky location to ground telescopes. (4) Liverpool Telescope (LT) on mountain top on Canary island of La Palma receives notification and immediately points to correct part of sky to begin to capture optical light from GRB afterglow. (5) Polarisation image taken with LT polarimeter, RINGO, is transmitted to the Astrophysics Institute at Liverpool John Moores University for analysis by scientists. Credit: Dr Carole Mundell, Liverpool John Moores University.