This paper considers latest highlights in simultaneous and follow-up optical observations of high energy astrophysical phenomena by MASTER Global Robotic Net. Such extreme Universe sources includes gamma-ray bursts, gravitational wave events, detected by LIGO/Virgo, fast radio bursts, high energy neutrino sources and others. Some of the neutrinos detected by ground-based facilities owe their births to supermassive black holes – blazars, which are in a special anxious state with high statistical reliability. We discovered the effect of a rapid decrease in the brightness of the blazar PKS 0735+17 at the time of the multiple detection of the high-energy neutrino event IceCube-211208A. This decrease in brightness within several hours was detected with a high confidence (SNR 10) in comparison with a multi-day brightening state of the blazar, which was accompanied not only by a maximum increase in the average brightness, but also by an increase in the amplitude of its brightness fluctuations. Additionally, we analyzed all cases of successful observation of blazars around neutrino events and obtained statistically reliable indications of the relationship between neutrino events and optical activity of blazars in the doubled error box at the 4.2 σ level.

We present the algorithm of exoplanets transit search in MASTER global robotic telescope network database, that has been created with the involvement and use of artificial intelligence methods. MASTER’s 2003–2023 years archive images are stored at data storage and analysis center in Lomonosov supercomputer. For exoplanets transit search we used the images of SWIFT gamma-ray bursts alerts (GRB), received by MASTER telescopes during several hours at target nights. The algorithm includes cross-correlation of GRB error-boxes coordinates and TESS exoplanetary transits candidates inside 4 square degrees of each field. Our analyses is based on wide-field images obtained on MASTER-Amur, -Tunka, -Kislovodsk, -Tavrida, MASTER-IAC, MASTER-OAGH, MASTER-OAFA and MASTER-SAAO robotic telescopes. We used data storage and analysis center in Lomonosov supercomputer with MASTER images archive, calculated light curves for target stars and approximate them to find eclipse by exoplanets. The centralized storage of this data allows us to simplify and significantly speed up access to the huge archive of images formed during the entire operation of the robotic network for automatic processing and facilitate the manual search for the necessary information by the researcher. From this storage we compared the program with unique long homogeneous series of Swift GRBs alert and inspection observations, which we analyzed. The main result is reduction of unique light curves of exoplanetary transits of TIC 127115861.01 TESS candidate, obtained by MASTER long before the TESS space observatory.

The paper presents the method for detecting exoplanets in the image archive obtained by telescopes of the MASTER Global Network since 2002. The unique archive represents homogeneous photometric data obtained over 20 years for the northern (MASTER-Amur, MASTER-Tunka, MASTER-Kislovodsk, M-ASTER-Tavrida, MASTER-IAC, MASTER-OAGH) and 11 years for the southern sky (MASTER-OAFA, MASTER-SAAO). Algorithm of gamma-ray burst error box observation on the MASTER wide-field telescopes make it possible to detect transit phenomena and find exoplanets in archival data. The article presents the results of a photometric analysis of the TESS exoplanet candidate TOI–3570.01.

We report on the earliest detection of the optical transient MASTER OT J123248.62-012924.5 coincident within the error box with the optical and X-ray transient AT2021lfa/ZTF21aayokph. In our images the brightness of the object rises monotonically with $$7\sigma$$ confidence. We interpret this transient as a gamma-ray burst (GRB) characterized by smooth optical self-similar (SOSS) emission, while the nondetection of gamma-ray emission at space observatories is interpreted in terms of the hypothesis of a ‘‘failed’’ GRB. Thus, this is the first detection of a nonmonotonic orphan burst.

— We present the results of early observations for 130 error-boxes of gamma-ray bursts performed with the Mobile Astronomical System of TElescope-Robots (MASTER) global network of robotic telescopes from Moscow State University in fully automatic mode (2011–2017). Among them, GRB 130907A, GRB 120811C, GRB 110801A, GRB 120404A, GRB 140129B, GRB140311B, and GRB 160227A are considered in details. Among these 130 gamma-ray bursts, in the first 60 s after the trigger with the Swift, Fermi, INTEGRAL, MAXI, Lomonosov, and Konus-Wind orbital observatories, the MASTER was pointed on 51 gamma-ray bursts, being the leader in terms of the first pointing. Full observation automation and MASTER own real-time image processing software allowed us to obtain unique data on early optical emission that accompanied 44 gamma-ray bursts (GRB 110801A, GRB120106A, GRB 120404A, GRB 120811C, GRB 120907A, GRB 121011A, GRB 130122A, GRB 130907A, GRB 131030A, GRB 131125A, GRB 140103A, GRB 140108A, GRB 140129B, GRB 140206A, GRB 140304A, GRB 140311B, GRB 140512A, GRB 140629A, GRB 140801A, GRB140907A, GRB 140930B, GRB141028A, GRB 141225A, GRB 150210A, GRB 150211A, GRB 150301B, GRB 150323C, GRB 150404A/Fermi trigger 449861706, GRB 150403A, GRB 150413A, GRB 150518A, GRB 150627A, GRB 151021A, GRB 151215A, GRB 160104A, GRB 160117B, GRB 160131A, GRB 160227A, GRB 160425A, GRB 160611A, GRB 160625B, GRB 160804A, GRB 160910A, GRB 161017A, GRB 161117A, GRB 161119A). We obtain light curves for 13 gamma-ray bursts among the above listed ones and compare the data in the optical (MASTER), X-ray (Swift-XRT), and hard X-ray (Swift-BAT) ranges.

Seven gamma-ray bursts – GRB 130907A, GRB 140311B, GRB 140129B, GRB 160227A, GRB 120404A, GRB 110801A, and GRB 120811C were observed by the MSU MASTER (Mobile Astronomical System of TElescope Robots) Global Network. Full automation of the observations provided for obtaining unique data on the properties of early optical radiation accompanying gamma-ray bursts. The data are compared in the optical (MASTER), X-ray (SWIFT X-ray Telescope, XRT) and gamma (SWIFT Burst Alert Telescope, BAT) ranges. Based on the data obtained, two groups are identified, and their radiation mechanisms are revealed. The effect of gamma-ray bursts on the biosphere of the Earth is determined, and the estimates and the scale of such an effect are considered.

The results of white-light photometry for a uniquely long series of data (13.5 hours of observations, 1124 measurements) for the Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) 2015 TB145 are presented. These data were obtained with the MASTER-Amur and MASTER-Tavrida wide-field robotic telescopes of the Mobile Astronomical System of Telescope-Robots (MASTER) global network of Lomonosov Moscow State University, located in the Crimea and in Blagoveshchensk. The object moved by more than 120° during the observations. The asteroid passed the point of closest approach to the Earth, i.e., observations were carried during both the asteroid's approach and recession. Thus, due to the geometry of the passage, this series of observations contains information about the asteroid viewed at different angles, and is very suitable for precisely determining the shape of the object. Mathematical modeling of the light curve and astrometric positions (with the Asteroids3D code) was carried out, and the probable shape of the asteroid (conical) and the rotation period of 5.9 hours were obtained, as well as the orientation of the rotation axis in ecliptic coordinates: longitude λ = 53°, latitude β = −20°. The derived period coincides with twice the period of 2.9 hours obtained by other observers published earlier, within the uncertainties.

The concept of a multi-functional astronomical complex as applied to robotic astronomy networks and systems is formulated. The practical realization of this concept in the MASTER global network of robotic telescopes of Moscow State University is described. The dynamically integrated MASTER database, which transforms a network of robotic telescopes into a robotic network, is described. Real, multi-channel astronomical observations obtained on the MASTER global network are used to show the effective application of this concept. The MASTER global network is continuously participating in multi-wavelength and multi-channel observations aimed at studying astrophysical sources located in extreme conditions, including the sources of gravitational waves registered by the LIGO/VIRGO detectors, of high-energy neutrinos detected by IceCube and ANTARES, and of fast radio bursts (FRBs) and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The MASTER network provided the most extensive survey of the first error field for the LIGO gravitational-wave outburst GW 150914 (5000 square degrees) and carried out the first independent localization of the gravitational-wave event GW170817. TheMASTER network has also discovered more than 1600 optical transients with various physical natures. Data obtained with the MASTER network have been used to provide pointing information to major ground-based and space-based telescopes.

2070 unique, homogeneous photometric and polarization observations of the microquasar in a binary system with a black hole V404 Cyg/GS2023+338 obtained in 2015 with the MASTER global network of robotic telescopes (16 robotic telescopes located at eight points on the Earth in Russia, Spain, South Africa, and Argentina) are presented. MASTER was the first telescope network to obtain optical observations of the microquasar after its gamma-ray outburst in 2015. Observations were carried out from 18:34:09 UT on June 15, 2015 until December 2015 in four polarizations and in the four standard BV RI filters. The paper presents the results of these observations and a comparative analysis of optical and X-ray data. The observations confirm the previously discovered super-long delays of the optical radiation relative to the X-ray outbursts. Possible mechanisms causing the delay in the optical variations relative to the X-ray variations are discussed. Variability of the optical polarization discovered earlier is confirmed another similar episode reported.

On February 17 2016, the IceCube real-time neutrino search identified, for the first time, three muon neutrino candidates arriving within 100 s of one another, consistent with coming from the same point in the sky. Such a triplet is expected once every 13.7 years as a random coincidence of background events. However, considering the lifetime of the follow-up program the probability of detecting at least one triplet from atmospheric background is 32%. Follow-up observatories were notified in order to search for an electromagnetic counterpart. Observations were obtained by Swift's X-ray telescope, by ASAS-SN, LCO and MASTER at optical wavelengths, and by VERITAS in the very-high-energy gamma-ray regime. Moreover, the Swift BAT serendipitously observed the location 100 s after the first neutrino was detected, and data from the Fermi LAT and HAWC observatory were analyzed. We present details of the neutrino triplet and the follow-up observations. No likely electromagnetic counterpart was detected, and we discuss the implications of these constraints on candidate neutrino sources such as gamma-ray bursts, core-collapse supernovae and active galactic nucleus flares. This study illustrates the potential of and challenges for future follow-up campaigns.

We report the early discovery of the optical afterglow of gamma-ray burst (GRB) 140801A in the 137 deg$^2$ 3-$\sigma$ error-box of the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM). MASTER is the only observatory that automatically react to all Fermi alerts. GRB 140801A is one of the few GRBs whose optical counterpart was discovered solely from its GBM localization. The optical afterglow of GRB 140801A was found by MASTER Global Robotic Net 53 sec after receiving the alert, making it the fastest optical detection of a GRB from a GBM error-box. Spectroscopy obtained with the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias and the 6-m BTA of SAO RAS reveals a redshift of $z=1.32$. We performed optical and near-infrared photometry of GRB 140801A using different telescopes with apertures ranging from 0.4-m to 10.4-m. GRB 140801A is a typical burst in many ways. The rest-frame bolometric isotropic energy release and peak energy of the burst is $E_\mathrm{iso} = 5.54_{-0.24}^{+0.26} \times 10^{52}$ erg and $E_\mathrm{p, rest}\simeq280$ keV, respectively, which is consistent with the Amati relation. The absence of a jet break in the optical light curve provides a lower limit on the half-opening angle of the jet $\theta=6.1$ deg. The observed $E_\mathrm{peak}$ is consistent with the limit derived from the Ghirlanda relation. The joint Fermi GBM and Konus-Wind analysis shows that GRB 140801A could belong to the class of intermediate duration. The rapid detection of the optical counterpart of GRB 140801A is especially important regarding the upcoming experiments with large coordinate error-box areas.

We report early optical linear polarization observations of two gamma-ray burstsmade with the MASTER robotic telescope network. We found the minimum polarization for GRB 150301B to be 8 per cent at the beginning of the initial stage, whereas we detected no polarization for GRB 150413A either at the rising branch or after the burst reached the power-law afterglow stage. This is the earliest measurement of the polarization (in cosmological rest frame) of gamma-ray bursts. The primary intent of the paper is to discover optical emission and publish extremely rare (unique) high-quality light curves of the prompt optical emission of gamma-ray bursts during the non-monotonic stage of their evolution. We report that our team has discovered the optical counterpart of one of the bursts, GRB 150413A.

We present results of optical polarization observations performed with the MASTER robotic net (Lipunov et al., 2004, 2010; Kornilov et al., 2012) for three types of objects; gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and blazars. For the Swift gamma-ray bursts GRB100906A, GRB110422A, GRB121011A, polarization observations were obtained during very early stages of optical emission. For GRB100906A it was the first prompt optical polarization observation in the world. Photometry in polarizers is presented for Type la Supernova 2012bh during 20 days, starting on March 27, 2012. We find that the linear polarization of SN 2012bh at the early stage of the envelope expansion was less than 3%. Polarization measurements for the blazars OC 457, 3C 454.3, QSO B1215+303, 87GB 165943.2+395846 at single nights are presented. We infer the degree of the linear polarization and polarization angle. The blazars OC 457 and 3C 454.3 were observed during their periods of activity. The results show that MASTER is able to measure substantially polarized light; at the same time it is not suitable for determining weak polarization (less than 5%) of dim objects (fainter than 16(m)). Polarimetric observations of the optical emission from gamma-ray bursts and supernovae are necessary to investigate the nature of these transient objects. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The main stages in the creation of the Russian segment of the MASTER network of robotic telescopes is described. This network is designed for studies of the prompt optical emission of gammaray bursts (GRBs; optical emission synchronous with the gamma-ray radiation) and surveys of the sky aimed at discovering uncataloged objects and photometric studies for various programs. The first results obtained by the network, during its construction and immediately after its completion in December 2010, are presented. Eighty-nine alert pointings at GRBs (in most cases, being the first ground telescopes to point at the GRBs) were made from September 2006 through July 2011. The MASTER network holds first place in the world in terms of the total number of first pointings, and currently more than half of first pointings at GRBs by ground telescopes are made by the MASTER network. Photometric light curves of GRB 091020, GRB 091127, GRB 100901A, GRB 100906A, GRB 10925A, GRB 110106A, GRB 110422A, and GRB 110530A are presented. It is especially important that prompt emission was observed for GRB 100901A and GRB 100906A, and thar GRB 091127, GRB 110422A, and GRB 110106A were observed from the first seconds in two polarizations. Very-wide-field cameras carried out synchronous observations of the prompt emission of GRB 081102, GRB 081130B, GRB 090305B, GRB 090320B, GRB 090328, and GRB 090424. Discoveries of Type Ia supernovae are ongoing (among them the brightest supernova in 2009): 2008gy, 2009nr, 2010V, and others. In all, photometry of 387 supernovae has been carried out, 43 of which were either discovered or first observed with MASTER telescopes; more than half of these are Type Ia supernovae. Photometric studies of the open clusters NGC 7129 and NGC 7142 have been conducted, leading to the discovery of 38 variable stars. Sixty-nine optical transients have been discovered.

We present results of the prompt, early, and afterglow optical observations of five gamma-ray bursts, GRBs 100901A, 100902A, 100905A, 100906A, and 101020A, made with the Mobile Astronomical System of TElescope-Robots in Russia (MASTER-II net), the 1.5-m telescope of Sierra-Nevada Observatory, and the 2.56-m Nordic Optical Telescope. For two sources, GRB 100901A and GRB 100906A, we detected optical counterparts and obtained light curves starting before cessation of gamma-ray emission, at 113 s and 48 s after the trigger, respectively. Observations of GRB 100906A were conducted with two polarizing filters. Observations of the other three bursts gave the upper limits on the optical flux; their properties are briefly discussed. More detailed analysis of GRB 100901A and GRB 100906A supplemented by Swift data provides the following results and indicates different origins of the prompt optical radiation in the two bursts. The light curves patterns and spectral distributions suggest a common production site of the prompt optical and high-energy emission in GRB 100901A. Results of spectral fits for GRB 100901A in the range from the optical to X-rays favor power-law energy distributions with similar values of the optical extinction in the host galaxy. GRB 100906A produced a smoothly peaking optical light curve suggesting that the prompt optical radiation in this GRB originated in a front shock. This is supported by a spectral analysis. We have found that the Amati and Ghirlanda relations are satisfied for GRB 100906A. An upper limit on the value of the optical extinction on the host of GRB 100906A is obtained.