Rykoff, E.Mangano, V.Yost, S.Sari, R.Aharonian, F.Akerlof, C.Ashley, M.Barthelmy, S.Burrows, D.Gehrels, N.Gogus, E.Guver, T.Horns, D.Kiziloglu, U.Krimm, H.McKay, T.Ozel, M.Phillips, A.Quimby, R.Rowell, G.et al.2007-08-292007-08-292006The Astrophysical Journal: an international review of astronomy and astronomical physics, 2006; 638(1):L5-L80004-637X1538-4357http://hdl.handle.net/2440/37596© 2006 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.The ROTSE-IIIc telescope at the HESS site, Namibia, obtained the earliest detection of optical emission from a gamma-ray burst (GRB), beginning only 21.8 s from the onset of Swift GRB 050801. The optical light curve does not fade or brighten significantly over the first ∼250 s, after which there is an achromatic break and the light curve declines in typical power-law fashion. The Swift XRT also obtained early observations starting at 69 s after the burst onset. The X-ray light curve shows the same features as the optical light curve. These correlated variations in the early optical and X-ray emission imply a common origin in space and time. This behavior is difficult to reconcile with the standard models of early afterglow emission.enJournal article002007129010.1086/5010070002351324000022-s2.0-3364452588248492Rowell, G. [0000-0002-9516-1581]