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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 uses the GCN (work in progress)
• Follow-up Observations

Overview - Swift Observation and Data Flow

(explanatory text below diagram)

• Swift observes pre-planned targets until a gamma-ray burst is detected within the BAT field of view


• Swift autonomously slews to point narrow-field instruments (NFIs) at the burst and sends early burst data to ground via TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System)


• TDRSS data go to the Mission Operations Center (MOC) at Penn State University (PSU) and to the astronomical community via the Gamma-ray burst Coordinates Network (GCN)


• Full science and housekeeping data from the burst are downloaded at the Malindi Ground Station during the next telemetry pass (there are typically 9-12 passes per day)


• Mission Operations Center relays all data to the Swift Data Center (SDC) for processing


• Quick-Look data are available on the web within 3 hours after receipt by SDC


• Archive sites receive full, final processing of data after the last observation is completely processed (usually about one week)


• Follow-up observations performed by the astrophysics community may be uploaded to Archive, at the observers' discretion


• Swift also use TDRSS for rapid response to target of opportunity (ToO) observations. These can be gamma-ray bursts found by other observatories, or other targets with compelling science


• The Swift Science Center (SSC) provides user-support, documentation, data analysis software and techniques, and answers questions from the community.