Real-time detection and multisite observations of gravitational microlensing

Abstract

The MACHO collaboration is carrying out an extensive survey to detect gravitational microlensing. We have recently demonstrated the ability to detect candidate microlensing events in real time, often well before the peak amplification of the event. This has made possible the acquisition of spectra over the course of an event, the invariance of which has lent strong support to the microlensing interpretation. This paper reports, on photometric data that were acquired from two sites, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and Mount Stromlo, in response to the real time detection of a microlensing event. The superior photometry obtained from Chile and the complementary time coverage demonstrate the viability of mounting an aggressive campaign of microlensing follow-up observations. Show more