Swift Gamma-Ray Observatory

The Swift Gamma-Ray Observatory is a space telescope launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts—brief, intense flashes of high-energy light from distant cosmic explosions. Equipped with specialized instruments, Swift quickly detects these bursts and then rapidly points its other instruments at the source, allowing scientists to observe their afterglows across different wavelengths like X-ray and ultraviolet light. This rapid response helps researchers understand the origins and physics of these powerful cosmic events, shedding light on phenomena such as collapsing stars or merging neutron stars. Swift has significantly advanced our knowledge of the most energetic explosions in the universe.