Swift Observing Strategy and Data Flow
Jump to:
- Overview
- Observing Strategy - detailed timeline of standard GRB observation
- Data Products Timeline - how soon new data products are available after burst detection
- GCN Notices - how Swift will use the GCN (coming soon)
- Follow-up Observations
Overview - Swift Observation and Data Flow
(explanatory text below diagram)
- Swift observes Pre-Planned Targets until Burst detected within BAT field-of-view
- Swift autonomously slews to point Narrow-Field Instruments (NFIs) at Burst and sends early Burst Data to ground via TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System)
- TDRSS data go to Mission Operations Center (MOC) at Penn State University (PSU) and to astronomical community via Gamma-ray burst Coordinates Network (GCN)
- Full science and housekeeping data from Burst are downloaded at Malindi Ground Station on next telemetry pass (9-12 passes per day)
- Mission Operations Center relays all data to Swift Data Center (SDC) for processing
- Quicklook data are available on Web within 2-3 hours after receipt by SDC
- Archive sites receive full, final processing of data after last observation is complete
- Follow-up Observations performed by community may be uploaded to Archive, as well, at observers' discretion
- Swift will also use TDRSS for rapid response to Target of Opportunity (ToO) observations, whether Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) found by other observatories, or other compelling science
- The Swift Science Center (SSC) provides user-support, documentation, data analysis software and techniques, and answers questions from the community.
If you have a question about Swift, please contact us via the Feedback form.