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

• 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.

This page was last modified on Wednesday, 23-Jun-2004 11:26:35 EDT.