Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) for the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO)

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) is expected to provide new and better observational data on bursts to test current and future models of burst sources. These data will include: (1) the celestial distribution of hundreds of burst sources over the life of the mission, (2) burst locations within several degrees, within 2 days after their occurrence, (3) observations of weaker bursts and better observations of short timescale fluctuations and spectral variations, (4) observations by a single experiment over a much larger energy range than previously available, and (5) more sensitive measurements of the spectral features which have been observed in many bursts. This paper briefly describes the GRO mission, the BATSE instrumentation and the burst observational capabilities.