A Southern Sky survey to detect and monitor radio afterglows associated with recently detected gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)

For Southern Hemisphere GRBs the ATCA can be used to carry out a long-term follow-up radio observation program for GRB afterglows. We propose a continuation of our GRB radio-afterglow detection and monitoring survey of the southern sky, consisting of monthly observations of a selected sample of newly discovered GRBs. Three epochs of our GRB observations, success of our data analysis strategy and noticeable improvement of our results from recent observation indicates that this is a feasible and promising project. The primary goal of the program is to select targets for high-resolution and high sensitivity observations using the e-VLBI capability of the LBA, for measurements of the structures, expansion speeds, sizes, evolution and energetics of the radio counterparts of the GRBs. Goals of the ATCA project include: (1) obtaining information on GRBs at declinations that cannot be reached by the VLA, (2) increasing the number of these sources for radio follow-up so as to improve our chances of finding radio counterparts of interesting GRBs. This program will pave the way for coordinated transient science program with the e-VLBI capabilities of the LBA, the broadband ATCA and ASKAP.