Swift Observatory Launched

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."

Comments

Re:How often?

[snake_dad]

I once read that GRBs happen about 300 times a year. Hopefully before long we'll have a better understanding of the universe.

The principal investigator Neil Gehrels says they hope to catch about 100 per year.. there should be a few that get caught in a very early stage, which would indeed give a lot better understanding of GRBs.

Its a spotter...

[dj245]

..for the big guns on earth. Since there is much less things to interfere with it out in space, it can detect the gamma ray burst quickly and determine exactly where it is coming from. The point of course is to use the sattelite to do a little bit of science on it, but also to send the coordinates to all the other telescopes so the big iron can take a look too.