Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory

This illustration shows the Swift observatory in shades of blue. A multi-sided cylindrical body is flanked by two solar array "wings." The front face has a large squared-off half-circle instrument, two small cylindrical telescopes, and a shield along the top edge.
CreditNASA
Historical DateDecember 20, 2022
Language
  • english

An illustration of NASA's Swift observatory. The colors depicted in this illustration are for artistic purposes only.

Swift is a space satellite that studies gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe, and other cosmic objects and events. It houses three multiwavelength telescopes, collecting data in visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray light.

Launched: November 20, 2004