High Energy Astrophysics

Gamma-ray Burst is a photograph by Gemini Observatory/aura. Artwork by Lynette.

 

The research of this group led by Martin Jelinek includes studies of energetic galactic and extragalactic cosmic sources with energies extending from the far UV through the visible, X-rays and into the Y-ray band. The targets its activity multi-spectral analysis of gamma-ray bursts (GRB) and their optical afterglow, active galactic nuclei (AGN) especially blazers, and other types of celestial high energy sources including various types of X‑ray binaries and cataclysmic variables (CV).

BART robotic telescope
D50 robotic telescope

To obtain necessary high-energy observational data, the group has been involved in high-energy satellite research, and also maintains collaboration with a future ground-based facility bound to observe gamma-rays from surface – Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), which is being built at two sites of La Palma and Paranal. CTA now counts with three robotic telescopes FRAM built and operated in collaboration between the Institute of Physics and the group of High Energy Astrophysics.

The group has been operating two relatively small robotic telescopes on the ground of Ondřejov observatory. BART robotic telescope with diameter of 25 cm and D50 robotic telescope with diameter of 50 cm. The role of these telescopes is to complement high energy with original optical data for both GRBs and CVs. These objectives complement well, as the GRBs require small amount of rapid-response time, while CVs occupy the long term program. This two telescopes are part of the GLORIA network.

The members of the group is also involved in space projects of the European Space Agency INTEGRAL, Gaia and XEUS, and with NASA in collaboration with the study of the Constellation X project. especially for detection of cosmic flashes of gamma radiation (experiments BART, D50, BOOTES). Further data are obtained from astronomical plate archives – time periods covering up to 100 years, providing valuable information on the long-term behaviour of resources in the optical field.

The members of the group regularly organizes international conferences and workshops, e.g., International workshops on Astronomical X–Ray Optics (AXRO), and INTEGRAL/BART workshops (IBWS), and participates in the organization of large international conferences such as SPIE Europe, Frascati workshop on Multispectral behaviour of cosmic high-energy sources, and international conferences on Frontier objects in astrophysics.

Members of the group

More info

Selected papers

  • Applying weighted image coaddition to observations of GRB optical afterglows at the D50 telescope in Ondřejov, Jelínek, M.; Kann, David A.; Štrobl, J.; Hudec, R.; 2019, Astronomische Nachrichten, 340, 622
  • Astronomical photographic data archives: Recent status , Hudec, R.; 2019, Astronomische Nachrichten, 340, 690
  • X-ray outbursts and high-state episodes of HETE J1900.1-2455 , Šimon, V.; 2018, MNRAS, 477, 67
  • Decade of GRB Follow-Up by BOOTES in Spain (2003-2013), Jelínek, M., Castro-Tirado, A.J. – Cunniffe, R., Gorosabel, J., Vítek, S., Kubánek, P., de Ugarte Postigo, A., Guziy, S., Tello, J., Páta, P., Sánchez-Ramírez, R., Oates, S., Jeong, S., Štrobl, J., Castillo-Carrión, S., Mateo Sanguino, T. J., Rabaza, O., Pérez-Ramírez, D., Fernández-Muňoz, R., de la Morena Carretero, B., Hudec, R., Reglero, V., Sabau-Graziati, L., et al.; 2016, Advances in Astronomy., 2016, 12