Large rendering of Swift Gamma Ray Burst Observatory in space.

Swift Gamma Ray Burst Observatory


Gamma ray telescopes can operate only in space. Gamma rays cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere, thank goodness! Otherwise, Earth would most likely be a fried and lifeless place. Gamma rays are the smallest wave and most energetic form of electromagnetic energy (that is, light) that we have been able to detect. Huge bursts of gamma rays have been detected from all parts of the sky, but astronomers do not yet know what events trigger them. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has detected over 1,000 gamma-ray bursts since its launch in 2004.