TO: GCN Customers DT: 21 Jul 07 RE: Outage of Swift-to-GCN Operations This morning (10:01:08 and 10:33:48 UT) there were two Swift-BAT triggers (285653 and 285654) which at first glance appear to be real GRBs. However, there was a problem in the connection between the front-end part of GCN (swift_tdrss_receiver) and the main GCN program (gcn_main) which prevented the Swift GCN Notices from being distributed to the regular customer list. This problem has been elimited. Normally, the parts of the GCN system that monitor this (and other) connections was not able to clear the problem and re-establish the connection. This loss of connection occurs at the 2 or 3 times a year level, and the automated reconnection monitor works within 4 minutes after the start of the loss of connection. However, this time it did not succeed. And to further compound the problem, the automated notification (to me) of this connection problem did not work. Hense the outage was allowed to continue without human intervention. Peliminary investegations show that the connection was in a partial state. The connection state was sufficient so as to not trip the connection monitor, but was not fully connected to allow the passage of data from the front-end program to the main program. This new scenario will be futher investigated and a solution will be found to prevent this new type of loss-of-service problem. This problem affected only the Swift-related Notices. All the other GCN Notice types were and continue to function normally. Nor did it affect the Circulars. I apologize for the loss of these two bursts. The Swift team is waiting for the downlink of the full data sets and will have the usual "refined analysis" circulars on these two triggers. Again, I apologize. GRBs are a rare commodity, and to loose two of them is serious and intolerable loss to the scientific community. Sincerely, Scott Barthelmy ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// TITLE: GCN/SWIFT NOTICE NOTICE_DATE: Sat 21 Jul 07 14:53:02 UT NOTICE_TYPE: Swift-S/C Will_Slew TRIGGER_NUM: 285653, Seg_Num: 1 GRB_RA: 3.163d {+00h 12m 39s} (J2000), 3.259d {+00h 13m 02s} (current), 2.531d {+00h 10m 07s} (1950) GRB_DEC: -28.549d {-28d 32' 56"} (J2000), -28.507d {-28d 30' 25"} (current), -28.827d {-28d 49' 37"} (1950) GRB_DATE: 14302 TJD; 202 DOY; 07/07/21 GRB_TIME: 36068.00 SOD {10:01:08.00} UT TRIGGER_INDEX: 0 RATE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] IMAGE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] SLEW_QUERY: 0x0 WAIT_TIME: 0.00 [sec] (=0.0 [min]) OBS_TIME: 2162.00 [sec] (=36.0 [min]) INST_MODES: BAT: 0=0x0 XRT: 0=0x0 UVOT: 32768=0x8000 MERIT: 99.00 SUN_POSTN: 120.59d {+08h 02m 22s} +20.46d {+20d 27' 52"} SUN_DIST: 123.02 [deg] Sun_angle= 7.8 [hr] (West of Sun) MOON_POSTN: 198.43d {+13h 13m 44s} -11.71d {-11d 42' 36"} MOON_DIST: 137.19 [deg] MOON_ILLUM: 44 [%] GAL_COORDS: 21.28,-81.31 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) ECL_COORDS: 350.57,-27.24 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) COMMENTS: SWIFT SC Slew decision. COMMENTS: This Notice is generated as a result of an uploaded TOO on an old GRB -- this is not a newly detected burst. COMMENTS: As a result of this TOO, the TRIG_INDEX, and RATE_SIGNIF fields are not valid! COMMENTS: And sometimes the GRB_DATE/TIME fields are not valid! COMMENTS: SC will immediately slew to this target. COMMENTS: This does not match any source in the ground catalog. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// TITLE: GCN/SWIFT NOTICE NOTICE_DATE: Sat 21 Jul 07 14:53:08 UT NOTICE_TYPE: Swift-FOM Will_Observe TRIGGER_NUM: 285653, Seg_Num: 1 GRB_RA: 3.163d {+00h 12m 39s} (J2000), 3.259d {+00h 13m 02s} (current), 2.531d {+00h 10m 07s} (1950) GRB_DEC: -28.549d {-28d 32' 56"} (J2000), -28.507d {-28d 30' 25"} (current), -28.827d {-28d 49' 37"} (1950) GRB_DATE: 14302 TJD; 202 DOY; 07/07/21 GRB_TIME: 36068.00 SOD {10:01:08.00} UT TRIGGER_INDEX: 0 RATE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] IMAGE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] FLAGS: 0x3 MERIT: 99.00 SUN_POSTN: 120.59d {+08h 02m 23s} +20.46d {+20d 27' 52"} SUN_DIST: 123.02 [deg] Sun_angle= 7.8 [hr] (West of Sun) MOON_POSTN: 198.43d {+13h 13m 44s} -11.71d {-11d 42' 37"} MOON_DIST: 137.19 [deg] MOON_ILLUM: 44 [%] GAL_COORDS: 21.28,-81.31 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) ECL_COORDS: 350.57,-27.24 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) COMMENTS: SWIFT Figure-of-Merit decision. COMMENTS: This Notice is generated as a result of an uploaded TOO on an old GRB -- this is not a newly detected burst. COMMENTS: As a result of this TOO, the TRIG_INDEX, and RATE/IMAGE_SIGNIF fields are not valid! COMMENTS: And sometimes the GRB_DATE/TIME fields are not valid! COMMENTS: This was of sufficient merit to become the new Automated Target; COMMENTS: but if the Current PPT has a greater merit, then we will not request a slew. COMMENTS: FOM will request the s/c to slew. COMMENTS: The S/C has yet to make its decision about safe to slew or not. COMMENTS: This does not match any source in the ground catalog. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// TITLE: GCN/SWIFT NOTICE NOTICE_DATE: Mon 23 Jul 07 14:28:45 UT NOTICE_TYPE: Swift-FOM Will_NOT_Observe TRIGGER_NUM: 285653, Seg_Num: 2 GRB_RA: 3.163d {+00h 12m 39s} (J2000), 3.259d {+00h 13m 02s} (current), 2.531d {+00h 10m 07s} (1950) GRB_DEC: -28.549d {-28d 32' 56"} (J2000), -28.507d {-28d 30' 25"} (current), -28.827d {-28d 49' 37"} (1950) GRB_DATE: 14302 TJD; 202 DOY; 07/07/21 GRB_TIME: 36068.00 SOD {10:01:08.00} UT TRIGGER_INDEX: 0 RATE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] IMAGE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] FLAGS: 0x1 MERIT: 99.00 SUN_POSTN: 122.57d {+08h 10m 16s} +20.07d {+20d 04' 12"} SUN_DIST: 124.60 [deg] Sun_angle= 8.0 [hr] (West of Sun) MOON_POSTN: 220.96d {+14h 43m 51s} -20.89d {-20d 53' 20"} MOON_DIST: 118.64 [deg] MOON_ILLUM: 63 [%] GAL_COORDS: 21.28,-81.31 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) ECL_COORDS: 350.57,-27.24 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) COMMENTS: SWIFT Figure-of-Merit decision. COMMENTS: This Notice is generated as a result of an uploaded TOO on an old GRB -- this is not a newly detected burst. COMMENTS: As a result of this TOO, the TRIG_INDEX, and RATE/IMAGE_SIGNIF fields are not valid! COMMENTS: And sometimes the GRB_DATE/TIME fields are not valid! COMMENTS: This was of sufficient merit to become the new Automated Target; COMMENTS: but if the Current PPT has a greater merit, then we will not request a slew. COMMENTS: This does not match any source in the ground catalog. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// TITLE: GCN/SWIFT NOTICE NOTICE_DATE: Mon 23 Jul 07 14:35:02 UT NOTICE_TYPE: Swift-S/C Will_NOT_Slew TRIGGER_NUM: 285653, Seg_Num: 2 GRB_RA: 3.163d {+00h 12m 39s} (J2000), 3.259d {+00h 13m 02s} (current), 2.531d {+00h 10m 07s} (1950) GRB_DEC: -28.549d {-28d 32' 56"} (J2000), -28.507d {-28d 30' 25"} (current), -28.827d {-28d 49' 37"} (1950) GRB_DATE: 14302 TJD; 202 DOY; 07/07/21 GRB_TIME: 36068.00 SOD {10:01:08.00} UT TRIGGER_INDEX: 0 RATE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] IMAGE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] SLEW_QUERY: 0x2 WAIT_TIME: 1448.00 [sec] (=24.1 [min]) OBS_TIME: 0.00 [sec] (=0.0 [min]) INST_MODES: BAT: 0=0x0 XRT: 7=0x7 UVOT: 426=0x1AA MERIT: 99.00 SUN_POSTN: 122.57d {+08h 10m 17s} +20.07d {+20d 04' 09"} SUN_DIST: 124.60 [deg] Sun_angle= 8.0 [hr] (West of Sun) MOON_POSTN: 221.02d {+14h 44m 04s} -20.91d {-20d 54' 22"} MOON_DIST: 118.60 [deg] MOON_ILLUM: 63 [%] GAL_COORDS: 21.28,-81.31 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) ECL_COORDS: 350.57,-27.24 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) COMMENTS: SWIFT SC Slew decision. COMMENTS: This Notice is generated as a result of an uploaded TOO on an old GRB -- this is not a newly detected burst. COMMENTS: As a result of this TOO, the TRIG_INDEX, and RATE_SIGNIF fields are not valid! COMMENTS: And sometimes the GRB_DATE/TIME fields are not valid! COMMENTS: SC will NOT slew immediately to this target; Earth_limb constraint. COMMENTS: There maybe a delayed slew or no slew at all; see WAIT_TIME. COMMENTS: This does not match any source in the ground catalog. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// TITLE: GCN/SWIFT NOTICE NOTICE_DATE: Mon 23 Jul 07 14:59:11 UT NOTICE_TYPE: Swift-S/C Will_NOT_Slew TRIGGER_NUM: 285653, Seg_Num: 2 GRB_RA: 3.163d {+00h 12m 39s} (J2000), 3.259d {+00h 13m 02s} (current), 2.531d {+00h 10m 07s} (1950) GRB_DEC: -28.549d {-28d 32' 56"} (J2000), -28.507d {-28d 30' 25"} (current), -28.827d {-28d 49' 37"} (1950) GRB_DATE: 14302 TJD; 202 DOY; 07/07/21 GRB_TIME: 36068.00 SOD {10:01:08.00} UT TRIGGER_INDEX: 0 RATE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] IMAGE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] SLEW_QUERY: 0x2 WAIT_TIME: 5.00 [sec] (=0.1 [min]) OBS_TIME: 0.00 [sec] (=0.0 [min]) INST_MODES: BAT: 0=0x0 XRT: 7=0x7 UVOT: 426=0x1AA MERIT: 99.00 SUN_POSTN: 122.59d {+08h 10m 21s} +20.07d {+20d 03' 56"} SUN_DIST: 124.62 [deg] Sun_angle= 8.0 [hr] (West of Sun) MOON_POSTN: 221.22d {+14h 44m 52s} -20.97d {-20d 58' 21"} MOON_DIST: 118.43 [deg] MOON_ILLUM: 63 [%] GAL_COORDS: 21.28,-81.31 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) ECL_COORDS: 350.57,-27.24 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) COMMENTS: SWIFT SC Slew decision. COMMENTS: This Notice is generated as a result of an uploaded TOO on an old GRB -- this is not a newly detected burst. COMMENTS: As a result of this TOO, the TRIG_INDEX, and RATE_SIGNIF fields are not valid! COMMENTS: And sometimes the GRB_DATE/TIME fields are not valid! COMMENTS: SC will NOT slew immediately to this target; Earth_limb constraint. COMMENTS: There maybe a delayed slew or no slew at all; see WAIT_TIME. COMMENTS: This does not match any source in the ground catalog. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// TITLE: GCN/SWIFT NOTICE NOTICE_DATE: Mon 23 Jul 07 14:59:16 UT NOTICE_TYPE: Swift-S/C Will_Slew TRIGGER_NUM: 285653, Seg_Num: 2 GRB_RA: 3.163d {+00h 12m 39s} (J2000), 3.259d {+00h 13m 02s} (current), 2.531d {+00h 10m 07s} (1950) GRB_DEC: -28.549d {-28d 32' 56"} (J2000), -28.507d {-28d 30' 25"} (current), -28.827d {-28d 49' 37"} (1950) GRB_DATE: 14302 TJD; 202 DOY; 07/07/21 GRB_TIME: 36068.00 SOD {10:01:08.00} UT TRIGGER_INDEX: 0 RATE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] IMAGE_SIGNIF: 0.00 [sigma] SLEW_QUERY: 0x0 WAIT_TIME: 0.00 [sec] (=0.0 [min]) OBS_TIME: 2552.00 [sec] (=42.5 [min]) INST_MODES: BAT: 0=0x0 XRT: 7=0x7 UVOT: 426=0x1AA MERIT: 99.00 SUN_POSTN: 122.59d {+08h 10m 21s} +20.07d {+20d 03' 56"} SUN_DIST: 124.62 [deg] Sun_angle= 8.0 [hr] (West of Sun) MOON_POSTN: 221.22d {+14h 44m 52s} -20.97d {-20d 58' 22"} MOON_DIST: 118.43 [deg] MOON_ILLUM: 63 [%] GAL_COORDS: 21.28,-81.31 [deg] galactic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) ECL_COORDS: 350.57,-27.24 [deg] ecliptic lon,lat of the burst (or transient) COMMENTS: SWIFT SC Slew decision. COMMENTS: This Notice is generated as a result of an uploaded TOO on an old GRB -- this is not a newly detected burst. COMMENTS: As a result of this TOO, the TRIG_INDEX, and RATE_SIGNIF fields are not valid! COMMENTS: And sometimes the GRB_DATE/TIME fields are not valid! COMMENTS: SC will immediately slew to this target. COMMENTS: This does not match any source in the ground catalog.