During the LIGO and Virgo joint science runs in 2009-2010, gravitational wave
(GW) data from three interferometer detectors were analyzed within minutes to
select GW candidate events and infer their apparent sky positions. Target
coordinates were transmitted to several telescopes for follow-up observations
aimed at the detection of an associated optical transient. Images were obtained
for eight such GW candidates. We present the methods used to analyze the image
data as well as the transient search results. No optical transient was
identified with a convincing association with any of these candidates, and none
of the GW triggers showed strong evidence for being astrophysical in nature. We
compare the sensitivities of these observations to several model light curves
from possible sources of interest, and discuss prospects for future joint
GW-optical observations of this type.
