Resource: Universe Origins
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This video segment from Swift: Eyes through Time introduces gamma ray bursts and how studying these distant objects in the universe help scientists look back in time. Swift scientists hope to discover or develop better theories of how the universe all began. The segment covers the origins of the study of the stars; the geocentric and heliocentric models; and, how culture influences the interpretation of scientific data.
Teachers' Domain, Universe Origins, published November 30, 2007, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/psu06-swift.sci.orgins/
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Print Background EssayThe first sighting of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) occurred in 1967 by military satellites. GRBs last mere seconds yet give off more radiation energy in their few seconds than our sun radiates throughout its entire lifetime. Scientists have long debated the origins of gamma-ray bursts. Two theories have merit. One theory is that the bursts occur when two neutron stars merge. The other theory is that the bursts are the result of a massive star collapsing. As the Swift satellite collects more data, scientists will soon be able to pinpoint which of their theories is correct.
What is known about GRBs is that they occur throughout the universe, and not just in our Milky Way galaxy as first believed. They occur two to three times a day at random places in our sky. GRBs can be in one of two categories: Short – lasting 2 seconds or less, or Long – lasting up to 90 seconds. The two types differ in more ways than just their duration. Spectroscopically, short bursts have more high-energy gamma rays than their counterparts do. According to Scientific American (December 2002), every time a gamma-ray burst occurs, a black hole is born.
Swift is a satellite designed by Penn State researchers and launched by NASA to study gamma-ray bursts. Launched in November of 2005, the satellite was named after the swift, a small, quickly moving bird. Catching a GRB is no easy task. The burst can appear from any direction without warning and can last for only a few milliseconds to just over a minute. So, the satellite has to move quickly and be in position to capture the data. According to NASA, no other satellite turns faster. In addition to GRBs, Swift searches and records other phenomena it observes in the sky.
The Swift satellite is comprised of three telescopes: the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT); the X-ray Telescope (XRT); and the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT). The BAT detects and locates the GRBs. Once one is identified, Swift repositions itself so that the other two telescopes can collect data on the afterglow of the burst. All the data is transmitted to earth and is available publicly within 30 minutes of the GRB detection.
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