Swift Observatory Launched

Posted by michael on Saturday November 20, 2004 @11:05AM from the wikiwiki dept.

IndigoSkies writes "NASA today successfully launched the Swift Observatory into Earth orbit for an intense two year study of GRBs (gamma-ray bursts) to determine whether there is a connection between them and the evolution of black holes. Unlike Earth-bound observatories, Swift will be able to detect GRBs occurring in real-time, and swiftly (hence the name) turn and focus on them within seconds -- before the burst fades forever from view. This should hopefully settle once and for all whether GRBs are in fact caused by black hole activity, or merely starships engaging their warp engines."

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I hope.... by keeleysam · 2004-11-20 11:09 · Score: 2, Funny

This should hopefully settle once and for all whether GRBs are in fact caused by black hole activity, or merely starships engaging their warp engines
I'm hoping for the latter... I'm a SETI@home user.

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swifties at it again by commodoresloat · 2004-11-20 19:15 · Score: 2, Funny

Great. Now the Swift Boat Observatory folks, emboldened after GWB won, are going after GRBs, questioning the connection between them and black holes. Karl Rove is behind all of this, I tell you!