Program: GN-2023B-DD-104

GRB 231115A is a short duration gamma-ray bursts detected by Fermi and INTEGRAL a few hours ago. Strikingly it overlaps much of the stellar field of M82 at a distance of only 3.5 Mpc, a scenario with a probability of chance alignment of only 1 in 180000. It therefore seems likely that the burst arises from M82 as is the closest reasonably localised GRB ever observed. Two scenarios for its origin seem plausible, it may be an unusal compact object merger, although no gravitational wave signal has yet been reported. Alternatively, it may be a magnetar giant flare. It is urgent to precisely locate and characterise the source across the electromagnetic spectrum. A significant programme is currently underway, and a possible optical counterpart has been reported. However, further observations will be necessary in the coming hours. Here we request 2 hours of observations to be used in the next 2 nights. The detailed strategy will depend on observations the coming night from La Palma, but we are submitting this request now to ensure resources are available in Hawaii.