Swift Post-Launch Support at University of Leicester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Swift is a NASA/UK/Italian multi-wavelength, autonomous rapid response satellite observatory designed to answer key questions about gamma-ray bursts. Launched in Nov 2004, it has detected over 100 GRBs, and has revolutionised this young and high-profile area of research. Highlights include the first localisations of short GRBs, ruling out a supernova origin; the detection of high redshift GRBs, reaching back towards the re-ionisation era; and the discovery of new types of behaviour in the early X-ray lightcurves, with implications for the poorly-understood central engine. Swift was recently placed top in the NASA senior review of current astronomical satellite projects, and awarded increased funding in the US for a further 2 years, with an expectation of funding for 2 years beyond that. Funding is sought for the continued support of the Swift project at Leicester. This will allow us to continue our support for the X-ray telescope, the UK Swift Science Data Centre, and the on-call burst roles. Leicester provided the X-ray camera and other subsystems for the XRT, and has the continuing task of providing on-going sustaining engineering, calibration and on-call anomaly response effort. The UKSSDC provides Swift data promptly to the UK community, it supports the community through training sessions, an extensive website, a help desk and in encouraging community use of Swift observing opportunities. The UKSSDC also provides software tools to support Swift data analysis. Because GRBs fade so rapidly, it is essential to provide results quickly so that large ground-based telescopes can prioritise their follow-up observations. A team of burst advocates and XRT burst scientists provide on-call alert response and longer term analysis effort to ensure that the opportunities provided by the GRB detections are exploited fully by the astronomical community.
Organisations
Publications
Levan A
(2007)
A case of mistaken identity? GRB 060912A and the nature of the long-short GRB divide*
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Godet O
(2007)
GRB 050822: detailed analysis of an XRF observed by Swift
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ruiz-Velasco A
(2007)
Detection of GRB 060927 at z = 5.47: Implications for the Use of Gamma-Ray Bursts as Probes of the End of the Dark Ages
in The Astrophysical Journal
Page K
(2007)
GRB 061121: Broadband Spectral Evolution through the Prompt and Afterglow Phases of a Bright Burst
in The Astrophysical Journal
Moretti A
(2007)
When GRB afterglows get softer, hard components come into play
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rol E
(2007)
The early- and late-time spectral and temporal evolution of GRB 050716
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Del Monte E
(2007)
GRB 070724B: the first gamma ray burst localized by SuperAGILE and its Swift X-ray afterglow
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ness J
(2007)
The SSS Phase of RS Ophiuchi Observed with Chandra and XMM-Newton . I. Data and Preliminary Modeling
in The Astrophysical Journal
Chincarini G
(2007)
The First Survey of X-Ray Flares from Gamma-Ray Bursts Observed by Swift : Temporal Properties and Morphology
in The Astrophysical Journal
Perri M
(2007)
The exceptionally extended flaring activity in the X-ray afterglow of GRB 050730 observed with Swift and XMM-Newton
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Troja E
(2007)
Swift Observations of GRB 070110: An Extraordinary X-Ray Afterglow Powered by the Central Engine
in The Astrophysical Journal
Guidorzi C
(2006)
The circumburst environment of a FRED GRB: study of the prompt emission and X-ray/optical afterglow of GRB 051111
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Description | BBC Sky at Night |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | BBC TV programme Sky at Night was devoted to GRBs on 8th Nov 2008, represented by one of the Leicester team members. N/A |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Day in the life of astrophysicists |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A series of videos "behind the scenes in the world of science" were made, including one following 2 members of the Leicester Swift team. This was created for the East Midlands STEM partnership. The video showed the kind of work we do as astrophysicists on a day-to-day basis, from discussing science to go in a paper, to waiting for new GRBs. Video available online. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | As part of the Open University/BBC 2 series entitled, "The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide", a TV crew followed members of the Leicester Swift team as they waited for a GRB over the course of a week. Interviews were performed, and filming of "live action data analysis" took place. The interesting GRB 061121 was detected during this week of filming (and also lead to a paper published in Apj by Page et al.). The programme has been shown on TV in various countries over the years since it was first broadcast on BBC2 in the early evening on 7th August 2007. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |