Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Space Research Group
LEDAS Data Archive
Site map
---Quick Links---
---Data Access---
Quick Look site
Archive
Light-curve repository
Spectrum repository
Burst Analyser
Build XRT products
XRT positions
Prompt XRT analysis
ToO Requests
---Local Links---
Status of Swift
Swift in the press
---Databases---
NED
Simbad
AstroGrid
---Software & Tools---
Swift Software
Xanadu
WebPIMMS
BAT software guide
XRT software guide
UVOT software guide
---Institutional Swift Sites---
GSFC
PSU
ISAC
MSSL
University of Leicester
Leicester Space Research Centre
UK Swift and GRBs in the Press
General Press Releases etc.
Swift Press Releases and Images on the GSFC site
.
Swift Mission Multimedia Features
2010
July
GRB 100621A - brightest X-rays detected from outside the Galaxy
Gewaltige Explosion: Gammablitz lässt Weltraumteleskop erblinden
- SpiegelOnline Video (in German!)
Record-breaking X-ray blast briefly blinds space observatory
- Science Centric
Brightest star explosion seen blinds satellite
- Reuters UK
Space explosion from collapsing star blinds satellite in brightest ever X-ray blast
- Daily Mail Online
Swift dazzled by distant X-ray blast
- Astronomy Now Online
Dazzling display from outside our galaxy caught on camera
- STFC
Swift satellite dazzled by star explosion
- UK Space Agency
Dazzling Display From Outside Our Galaxy Caught On Camera
- 24dash.com
Dazzling Display From Outside Our Galaxy Caught On Camera: Record-Breaking X-ray Blast Briefly Blinds Space Observatory
- AlphaGalileo
Dazzling display from outside our Galaxy caught on camera
- Leicester press release
Record-Breaking X-Ray Blast Blinds Space Observatory Briefly
- News About Space
Record-breaking X-ray blast briefly blinds space observatory
- Science Blog
Record-Breaking X-Ray Blast Blinds Space Observatory Briefly
- space.com
Record-Breaking X-Ray Blast Blinds Space Observatory Briefly
- Yahoo news
Record-Breaking X-ray Blast Briefly Blinds Space Observatory
- Portal to the Universe
Record-Breaking X-Ray Blast Briefly Blinds Space Observatory
- ScienceDaily
Record-breaking X-ray blast briefly blinds space observatory
- PhysOrg.com
And then the universe said 'Hah!' NASA's Swift satellite can't believe its eyes when it spots the brightest X-ray glow from a gamma ray burst outside our galaxy
- Geeked on Goddard
Record-Breaking X-ray Blast Briefly Blinds Space Observatory
- PSU press release
May
NASA's Swift Survey finds 'Smoking Gun' of Black Hole Activation
- NASA
Helium pair have regular violent flare ups
- RAS
April
Listening for the 'birth cries' of black holes
- BBC
Swift's 500th GRB:
NASA's Swift catches 500th gamma-ray burst
- PhysOrg.com
Leicester plays vital part in capturing cosmic explosions
- University of Leicester
NASA's Swift Catches 500th Gamma-Ray Burst
- Science Daily
Swift catches 500th gamma-ray burst
- Space Spin
NASA's Swift catches 500th gamma-ray burst
- Science Blog
NASA's Swift catches 500th gamma-ray burst
- EurekAlert
Satellite Has Found 500 of the Most Gigantic Explosions in the Universe
- PSU press release
NASA's Swift Catches 500th Gamma-ray Burst
- NASA
New Rosetta stone for GRBs as supernovae
- Astronomy Now Online
January
Newborn Black Holes May Add Power to Many Exploding Stars
- NASA
'Farthest' star-mass black hole
- BBC
2009
Swift XMM-Newton Satellites Tune Into a Middleweight Black Hole
- NASA
Swift Makes Best-ever Ultraviolet Portrait of Andromeda Galaxy
- NASA
New magnetar SGR 0501+4516:
Giant eruption reveals 'dead' star
- ESA
European Satellites Probe a New Magnetar
- NASA
NASA's GCN: ensuring supernovae are seen around the globe
- ars technica
GRB 090423 - z=8.3
Science news highlights of 2009
- BBC
Astronomers explore 'last blank space' on map of the Universe
- University of Leicester
Astronomical Artifact: Most Distant Object Yet Detected Carries Clues from Early Universe
- Scientific American
Light from a cosmic "dark age"
- World Science
A Blast From the Deep, Dark Past
- Science
Most Distant Object Found; Light Pierced "Dark Age" Fog
- National Geographic
Scientists set record with star 13 billion years old
- The Guardian
Mega-star explosion most distant object ever seen
- AFP
Nasa peers back into the 'cosmic dark ages'
- The Independent
Astronomers Detect Distant, Ancient Star Explosion
- npr
Exploding star from 13 billion years ago caught on camera
- Telegraph.co.uk
Earliest star blast helps astronomers peer back to dawn of time
- Daily Mail online
Astronomers spot dying star's final blast
- ABC News
New Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes Cosmic Distance Record
- PhysOrg.com
Stellar blast is record-breaker
- BBC
Most distant gamma-ray burst spotted
- Nature News
GRB 090423: The Farthest Explosion Yet Measured
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
New gamma-ray burst smashes cosmic distance record
- University of Leicester
New Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes Cosmic Distance Record
- NASA
New Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes Cosmic Distance Record
- ScienceDaily
NASA's Swift orbiting observatory spots oldest supernova yet
- ars technica
GRB Smashes Record for Most Distant Known Object
- Universe Today
Records Are Made To Be Broken And GRB 090423 Just Set One - Most Distant Object Yet Discovered in the Universe
- scientific blogging
Cosmic blast sets distance mark
- BBC
New Gamma-Ray Burst Smashes Cosmic Distance Record
- NASA
The Most Distant Object Yet Discovered in the Universe
- ESO News
New Gamma-Ray Burst smashes cosmic distance record
- STFC
Most distant object in the universe spotted
- New Scientist
Around the World in 80 Telescopes
- 100 Hours of Astronomy
UVOT grism observation of a GRB:
Swift Satellite records early phase of gamma ray burst
- PhysOrg.com
Swift Satellite records early phase of gamma ray burst
- FirstScience News
Astronomers capture early stages of gamma ray burst
- Telegraph.co.uk
Comet Lulin:
Comet Lulin may be on first tour around sun
- dailycamera
The Swift View of Comet Lulin
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA's Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- redOrbit
Space scientists probe green comet
- Science Centric
NASA's Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- YubaNet.com
UK-US-Italy satellite tracks comet Lulin
- UK in the USA
NASA's Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- Wired.gov
NASA's Swift spies Comet Lulin
- ScienceMode
Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- The Space Fellowship
NASA's Swift Gamma-ray Explorer Monitors Comet Lulin
- The Tech Herald
Swift Spacecraft Keeping an Eye on Comet Lulin
- Universe Today
Swift spies Comet Lulin
- Astronomy Magazine
Just Passing Through
- The Washington Post
NASA's Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- NASA
NASA's Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- STFC
NASA's Swift spies Comet Lulin
- EurekAlert
University of Leicester scientists probe green comet
- AlphaGalileo
Swift Satellite Tracks C/2007 N3 - Comet Lulin
- scientificblogging
Scientists Probe Green Comet
- PhysOrg.com
NASA's Swift Spies Comet Lulin
- Science Daily
University of Leicester scientists probe green comet
- University of Leicester
NASA 'scope captures ferocious gamma ray burst
- The Register
The world's top ten telescopes revealed
- Nature
NASA's Swift, Fermi Probe Fireworks From a Flaring Gamma-Ray Star
- NASA
NASA's Swift Shows Active Galaxies Are Different Near and Far
- NASA
Gamma-Ray Burst Offers First Peek at a Young Galaxy's Star Factory
- NASA
2008
Farthest Seeable Thing
- AIP's Top ten Physics Stories of the Year
Swift and sure: University of Leicester space scientists help to build and monitor NASA's 'best value' orbital mission
- University of Leicester
GRB 080913 - z=6.7:
Cosmic explosion is most distant ever seen
- New Scientist
Swift catches farthest-ever gamma-ray burst
- Spaceflight Now
NASA's Swift Catches Farthest-Ever Gamma-Ray Burst
- SpaceRef
NASA's Swift Catch of Farthest Gamma-Ray Burst - Ever
- Satnews Daily
NASA's Swift Catches Farthest Ever Gamma-Ray Burst
- Science Daily
NASA's Swift Catches Farthest-Ever Gamma-Ray Burst
- finacials.com
Explosion From Edge of Universe Seen
- space.com
Swift spies a star's death in the very early universe
- ars technica
Observatory detects record burst
- BBC website
NASA's Swift Catches Farthest Ever Gamma-Ray Burst
- NASA press release
SN 2008D - the shock breakout of a supernova observed
A supernova is caught in the act of exploding
- CERN Courier
Astronomers observe birth of supernova for first time
- The Tech Herald
Supernova Birth Observed for First Time
- space.com
NASA's Swift satellite catches first 'normal' supernova in the act of exploding
- EurekAlert
NASA's Swift Satellite Catches First "Normal" Supernova in the Act of Exploding
- Eberly College of Science News
Exploding star caught in the act
- BBC
NASA's Swift satellite catches first 'normal' supernova in the act of exploding
- e! Science News
NASA's Swift Satellite Catches First Normal Supernova In The Act Of Exploding
- Space Daily
Swift satellite catches first 'normal' supernova in the act of exploding
- PhysOrg.com
NASA's SWIFT Satellite Catches First Supernova in the Act of Exploding
- SpaceRef.com
Supernova sighting leaves astronomers agog
- Telegraph.co.uk
Caught in the act: the Swift satellite observes a supernova explosion in real-time
- STFC
NASA's Swift Satellite Catches First Supernova in the Act of Exploding
- NASA
GRB 080319B - the "naked eye" burst:
'Naked-eye' gamma-ray burst was aimed squarely at Earth
- EurekAlert
Huge star explosion aimed gamma ray burst at Earth
- Reuters UK
"Naked-Eye" Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely At Earth
- AlphaGalileo
'Naked-Eye' Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely at Earth
- examiner.com
"Naked-Eye" Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely At Earth
- New Mars
'Naked-Eye' Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely at Earth
- boston.com
Gamma-ray burst that was heading for Earth detected
- Telegraph.co.uk
'Naked eye' gamma-ray burst was aimed almost directly at the Earth
- Science Centric
"Naked-Eye" Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely At Earth
- PhysOrg.com
"Naked-Eye" Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely At Earth
- International Space Fellowshop
Exploding star shoots gamma rays at earth
- ABC Science
Naked-Eye Gamma-Ray Burst Was Aimed Squarely At Earth
- Space Daily
Naked-eye Gamma Ray Burst
- Science@NASA
"Naked eye" gamma ray burst was aimed squarely at Earth
- NASA press release
"Naked eye" gamma ray burst was aimed squarely at Earth
- RAS press release
A Record-Breaking Gamma-Ray Burst
- Sky & Telescope
Powerful stellar blast sighted
- nature.com
Brightest star ever seen through binoculars and garden telescopes
- mirror.co.uk
Swift Team Finds Bright Burst
- photonics.com
Brightest light ever seen by astronomers
- Telegraph.co.uk
Death of Massive Star Creates Brightest Burst Ever Seen
- News Blaze
NASA Satellite Detects Naked-Eye Explosion Halfway Across Universe
- NASA
Naked eye visible GRB!
- Bad Astronomy Blog
NASA's Swift Satellite Catches a Galaxy Ablaze With Starbirth
- NASA
GRB 070714B - most distant short GRB yet detected:
NASA and Gemini Probe Mysterious Distant Explosion
- NASA
Gemini And Swift Examine The Mysterious Explosion Of GRB 070714B
- scientificblogging
2007
GRB 070125 - a long GRB away from nearby galaxies
:
Cosmic explosion detonates in empty space
- New Scientist
'Shot in the Dark' Star Explosion Stuns Astronomers
- NASA
Black Hole Record Shattered
- NASA
NASA Astronomers Find Bizarre Planet-Mass Object Orbiting Neutron Star
- NASA
Rare dead star found near Earth
- BBC website
New type of AGN discovered:
Japanese and NASA Satellites Unveil New Type of Active Galaxy
- NASA
Hidden Black Holes Revealed
- space.com
NASA's Swift Sees Double Supernova in Galaxy
- NASA
Gamma-Ray Bursts Active Longer Than Thought
- NASA
Gamma-ray bursts and the early Universe
- PPARC Frontiers magazine
Robotic Telescope unravels mystery of cosmic blasts
- PPARC press release
Bang - The cataclysmic death of stars
- National Geographic
GRB 060729 - a very long-lived X-ray afterglow:
Gamma-ray burst challenges theory
- Space Spin
Gamma-Ray Burst Challenges Theory
- spaceref.com
Gamma-Ray Burst Challenges Theory
- NASA
Gamma-Ray Birth Cries Suggest Massive Magnetic Engines
- PSU press release
GRBs - magnetic outflows?
An Engine for Mind-Boggling Blasts
- ScienceNow
Magnetic Explosions In The Distant Universe Get The Gamma Going
- Space Daily
Magnetic Explosions in the Distant Universe
- Innovations Report
Cosmic blasts re-evaluated
- World Science
GRB theory questioned
- Astronomy Magazine
Magnetic Explosions in the Distant Universe
- RAS Press Release
Swift team awarded Bruno Rossi Prize:
Swift team awarded top high energy astronomy prize
- Interactions.org
Top High-Energy Astronomy Prize Awarded for SWIFT Discoveries
- SpaceRef.com
Swift team awarded top high energy astronomy prize
- Innovations Report
Top High-Energy Astronomy Prize Awarded for Swift Discoveries
- HEAD Press Release for Rossi Prize
Swift team awarded top high energy astronomy prize
- PPARC press release
2006
GRB 060614 - a hybrid?:
Swift discovers new kind of black hole explosion
- Space Spin
Cosmic bang baffles boffins
- Telegraph.co.uk
Hybrids in the Universe?
- NASA press release
Mystery Cosmic Explosions
- PPARC press release
Two supernovae in one galaxy:
Telescope captures double blast
- BBC website
Mug shots of supernovas reveal two key findings
- Space Spin
Twin Star Explosions Fascinate Astronomers
- PSU press release
Twin star explosions fascinate astronomers
- Space Spin
II Peg flare:
Monster stellar flare dwarfs all others
- Space Spin
Telescope catches 'monster flare'
- BBC website
Monster Stellar Flare Seen by NASA Scientists Dwarfs All Others
- NASA press release
NASA Performs Headcount of Local Black Holes
- NASA press release
Scientists Determine The Nature Of Black Hole Jets
- NASA press release
Mug Shots of Supernovas Reveal Two Key Findings
- NASA press release
Telescope looks to go to the edge
- BBC website
RS Oph - explosion of a recurrent nova:
Exploding Star within a Star - a recurrent nova!
- PPARC press release
Exploding 'Star Within A Star'
- RAS NAM, Leicester
'Dead star' erupts for big show
- BBC website
GRB 050801 - a possible magnetar:
Swift Observes An Unusual Bang In The Far Universe
- PhysOrg.com
Swift observes an unusual bang in the far universe
- Spaceflight Now
Swift Observes An Unusual Bang in the Far Universe
- RAS NAM, Leicester
Deep Impact/Comet Tempel 1:
A Swift Look at Tempel 1
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
Impactor ejects mighty water mass
- BBC website
X-rays Reveal 250,000 Tonnes of Water Released by Deep Impact
- RAS NAM, Leicester
GRB 060218 - the GRB-SN connection:
Death of a star: Scientists watch supernova in real time
- EurekAlert
Astronomers watch supernova go bang
- The Register
The Death Star
- Telegraph.co.uk
Caught in the act, scientists watch supernova explode
- Space Spin
Astronomers get a ringside seat for star's death blast
- Times online
Supernova captured in 'real time'
- BBC website
Death of a star: Scientists watch supernova in real time
- PPARC press release
Supernova comes with 'peculiar' gamma-ray burst
- New Scientist
NASA Detects 'Totally New' Mystery Explosion Nearby
- space.com
Astronomers Agog Over Stellar Explosion
- Sky and Telescope
GRB 060218: A Mysterious Transient
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
Scientists Detect New Kind of Cosmic Explosion
- PPARC press release
Scientists Detect New Kind of Cosmic Explosion
- NASA press release
2005
GRB 050724 - a neutron star-black hole merger?:
Cosmic Explosion Could Be Black Hole Swallowing Neutron Star
- NASA press release
The Cosmic Shredder and the Magnetar
- PPARC press release
Witnessing the Flash from a Black Hole's Cannibal Act
- ESO press release
GRB 050904 - z=6.29:
Most distant cosmic blast sighted
- BBC website
Swift detects most distant GRB in the Universe
- PPARC press release
Previously unexpected features in XRT light-curves:
Black holes start with many bangs
- BBC website
Swift sees Baby Black Hole with the Hiccups
- PPARC press release
NASA's Swift satellite finds newborn black holes
- NASA press release
Bagging bursts swiftly
- Nature press release
Deep Impact/Comet Tempel 1:
Deep Impact: sifting through the debris
- Nature Online
Scientists measure how deep 'Deep Impact' was, with X-rays
- Space Spin
Deep Insight: comet buster reveals dusty secrets
- space.com
Rare type of neutron star detected:
Three Satellites Needed to Discover One Shy Star
- UMBC Insights
Three Satellites Needed to Discover One Shy Star
- ESA News
Three Satellites Needed to Discover One Shy Star
- NASA
Gamma-ray Bursts and Swift
- RAS Astronomy & Geophysics journal
GRB 050509B - first short burst localised:
Swift bags black hole formation
- RAS Astronomy & Geophysics journal
NASA scientists catch unique Gamma-Ray Burst
- NASA press release
Blast hints at black hole birth
- BBC website
Scientists witness massive explosion due to stellar collision
- PPARC
Swift satellite spies cosmic crash
- Nature Online
First GRBs detected by UVOT:
Swift space telescope pinpoints distance to Galactic Explosions
- PPARC
Swift fully operational:
Swift ready for Universe's worst
- BBC website
Gamma-ray space observatory fully operational
- MSSL press release
F
irst GRBs seen by Swift-BAT and XRT:
Swift Mission images the birth of a black hole
- NASA press release
Swift catches first cosmic blasts
- BBC website
Swift X-ray Telescope discovers its first Gamma-Ray-Burst.
- PPARC
Swift X-ray Telescope sees its First Light and captures its first Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow.
- Penn State University XRT first light press release
Swift Mission turns on, sees a Blast Of Bursts.
- NASA BAT first light and first burst press release
2004
Swift launch:
Swift RocketCam
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
Swift Launches
Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA successfully launches Swift satellite.
- NASA launch press release
Swift blasts off on explosive mission.
- New Scientist
NASA launches cosmic blast hunter.
- BBC website
Pre-launch:
Space telescope's fast reflexes to record explosions.
- New Scientist
New NASA Satellite To Study Black Hole Birth And Gamma Ray Bursts.
- NASA
Counting down to Swift launch.
- PPARC
Space mission to track gamma-ray bursts.
- The Guardian
The hunt for cosmic blasts' secret.
- BBC website
Quest for the virtually invisible.
- The Guardian
Swift satellite to catch mysterious bursts from deep in the Cosmos.
- PPARC
Astronomers look forward to 'Swift' studies of cataclysmic explosions.
- University of Leicester
Dust halos:
X-rays light up gamma-ray burst.
- Institute of Physics: Physics Web
Dazzling halos illuminate our dusty Galaxy.
- PPARC
2003
Message in space tribute to University of Leicester Engineer.
- University of Leicester
Superbright gamma-ray burst may be closest ever.
- New Scientist
2002
Gamma-ray burst afterglow: supernova connection.
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
Astronomers unravel mystery of gamma-ray bursts.
- PPARC
2000
Death Rays.
- The Guardian
1999
British Scientists chosen for key role in Swift.
- University of Leicester
Brightest light ever seen baffles the boffins.
- The Guardian
Radio, TV and Internet broadcasts
Gewaltige Explosion: Gammablitz lässt Weltraumteleskop erblinden
- SpiegelOnline Video (in German!)
An interview with Dave Burrows about GRB 100621A
(Up All Night, BBC Radio 5 - about 1 hour 24 min into the show; 16th July 2010)
A flash from the early Universe
We are Astronomers
(Planetarium show by NSC Creative; May 2009)
Jodcast about Gamma Ray Bursts from JENAM - part 2
(May 2009)
Jodcast about Gamma Ray Bursts from JENAM - part 1
(May 2009)
Oldest Bang since the Big Bang!
(Planetary Radio; May 2009)
Around the World in 80 Telescopes
(100 Hours of Astronomy webcast; April 2009)
X-ray Woman Meets The Green Comet
(Podcast from University of Toronto; March 2009)
The Sky at Night: Big Bangs
(November 2008)
Behind the Scenes in the world of science - Nottingham Science
(September 2008)
The brightest light in the Universe
(Planetary Radio; April 2008)
The Sky at Night: The Sun Revealed
(April 2008)
Gamma-Ray Bursts: Flashes in the Sky
(American Museum of Natural History; July 2007)
The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide - Violent Universe
- BBC 2 TV series
The Sky at Night: Bangs in the Night
(June 2006)
Jodcast about Gamma Ray Bursts
(April 2006)
Gamma Ray Bursts: Explaining the Universe's biggest bangs
(Planetary Radio; October 2005)
Radio 4 - Leading Edge: Swift spots death throes of most distant Star on record
(15th September 2005)
The Sky at Night: Deep Impact.
(July 2005)
The Sky at Night: Eye on the Universe.
(May 2005)
The Sky at Night: Star Death.
(November 2004)
Radio 4 - The Material World: Gamma-ray Bursts and CERN.
(30th September 2004)
The Sky at Night: Robo Scope.
(September 2004)
Astronomy Picture of the Day
GRB 090423: The Farthest Explosion Yet Measured
(29th April 2009)
The Swift View of Comet Lulin
(21st February 2009)
GRB 060218: A Mysterious Transient
(27th February 2006)
A Swift Look at Tempel 1
(3rd July 2005)
Swift RocketCam
(24th December 2004)
Swift Launches
(22nd November 2004)
X-ray rings expand from a gamma-ray burst.
(30th January 2004)
Gamma-ray burst afterglow: supernova connection.
(5th April 2002)
University of Leicester Bul
le
tin
'Naked-eye' gamma-ray burst was aimed squarely at Earth
(September 2008)
Death of massive star creates brightest burst ever seen
(March 2008)
Swift team awarded top high energy astronomy prize
(January 2007)
University of Leicester Scientists Describe Cosmic Explosion 'Never Witnessed Before'
(February 2006)
Swift Satellite Wins "Best of What's New" Award in Popular Science
(November 2005)
Leicester Plays Key Role in Deep Impact Mission
(July 2005)
Leicester Space Scientists Among Those Honoured by NASA
(March 2005)
Keck Telescope Helps Detect First Gamma-Ray Bursts From The "Swift" Satellite
(February 2005)
NASA successfully launches Swift satellite.
(November 2004)
'Unprecedented Tribute' to be Paid to University of Leicester Scientist.
(October 2004)
Media Packs
University of Leicester
NASA
UK Swift Science Data Centre
Last updated 2010 September 02
Web page maintained by Kim Page ()