SEARCH FOR GRB COUNTERPARTS IN THE OPTICAL

The history and recent results of searches for optical counterparts to gamma ray burst sources in all three categories (i.e. flaring, fading and quiet) are outlined. The related problems such as background triggers and advantages and drawbacks of previous and recent approaches and investigations are discussed. Although there are some promising results especially in the appearance of optical transients i.e. short-lived star-like objects found in or close to the error boxes of some GRB, there is a need for more and better optical data, especially taken at or close to the times of GRB. Based on recent results, a strategy for further works in this direction is suggested with emphasis on obtaining of simultaneous (wide-field CCD experiments) and quasisimultaneous (robotic telescopes automatically pointed to the positions of newly detected GRB by Internet link) optical data.