Swift X-Ray Telescope Observations of Galactic Transients

Journal Article · Fri Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2216606· OSTI ID:20798736

Kennea, Jamie A ^[1]

---

1. Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 525 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801 (United States)

The Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer is a multi wavelength satellite mission dedicated to detection and follow-up of Gamma-Ray Bursts. Swift is comprised of three instruments, a Gamma-Ray detector (BAT), X-ray telescope (XRT) and UV/Optical telescope (UVOT). Swift is able to react with a fast response to both on-board detected transient events, and events discovered by other missions. This rapid response capability makes it an excellent platform for performing time-critical X-ray transients. The Swift X-Ray Telescope (XRT) is able to perform imaging observations of X-ray transients and obtain localizations to {approx}3.5 arc-second accuracy, aiding optical identification with ground based optical and IR follow-ups. We present an account of the operations of the Swift telescope in response to X-ray transients, particularly focusing on XRT observations, and present some results of X-ray monitoring of X-ray Transients with the XRT.

• OSTI ID: 20798736
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 840; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ACCURACY
COSMIC GAMMA BURSTS
COSMIC GAMMA SOURCES
COSMIC PHOTONS
COSMIC RAY DETECTION
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
GALAXIES
GAMMA RADIATION
SATELLITES
TELESCOPE COUNTERS
TRANSIENTS
WAVELENGTHS
X RADIATION