GCN Circular 232

L.A. Antonelli, A. Di Paola, R.Speziali, Osservatorio Astronomico di 
Roma, Italy, and G. Gandolfi, BeppoSAX Scientific Operation Center, 
Italy, report on behalf of SWIRT Team and BeppoSAX Team:

"We observed the Optical Transient field of GRB 990123 in the J band 
using the 1.1m AZT-24 telescope and the near-infrared 
camera/spectrometer SWIRCAM at the Campo Imperatore Astronomical 
Observatory operated by the Astronomical Observatory of Rome (O.A.R.). 

On 25.22 (UT) January 1999, the OT field was observed for a total
exposure time of 2000 s reaching the limiting magnitude in the
J band of 19.5 +/- 0.3 mag . 
On 26.12 (UT) January 1999 the field was re-observed for a total
exposure time of 3600 s reaching the limiting magnitude in the
J band of 19.3 +/- 0.3 mag. No source has been found in both
observations within the errorbox of the O.T. (IAUC 7094). 

These observations provide an upper limit, in the J band, to the 
infrared counterpart (if any) of GRB 990123 and on its behaviour.

This message may be cited."


[GCN OP NOTE (99/01/27 15:10 UT):  Some of you on the GCN Circulars list
probably received this Circular twice.  Due to a very low probability
occurance of e-mail deliver deamons timing, this notice got deposited
in the "import" queue of the Circulars processing deamon twice.]