Swift (Neil Gehrels)
ActiveLaunched in 2004·Low Earth orbit
A 'swift' observatory that automatically slews toward gamma-ray bursts in under 90 seconds, catching the most energetic phenomenon in the Universe.
Main objectives
- Detect and localize gamma-ray bursts in real time.
- Follow the X-ray, UV and optical afterglow.
- Study transients and the distant Universe.
Did you know?
Swift keeps its back to Earth to watch the sky: as soon as a burst is detected it slews around and observes the afterglow within tens of seconds.
Timeline
Nov 20, 2004
Launch
Delta II lift-off from Cape Canaveral.
Dec 17, 2004
First gamma-ray burst
Detection of GRB 041217, eight weeks after launch.
Oct 16, 2017
GW170817
Follow-up of the first burst linked to a neutron-star merger.
Jan 11, 2018
Renamed Neil Gehrels Swift
Honouring its founding principal investigator.
Swift (Neil Gehrels)
Instruments
[03]Specifications
Mass
Orbit
Response