1. STScI Science Writers Workshop
Swift Observations of
Short Gamma Ray Bursts
Neil Gehrels
NASA-GSFC
STScI Science Writers Workshop
May 11, 2006

2. Swift Gamma Ray Burst Mission: NASA Explorer mission to study GRBs
The Swift Mission
Swift Gamma Ray Burst Mission:
NASA Explorer mission to study GRBs
Most capable GRB mission ever flown
Launch November 2004
More than 100 GRBs detected to date
Both short and long GRB studied
BAT
XRT
UVOT

3. Short vs Long GRBs Short GRBs Long GRBs in non-SF in SF elliptical
Cnts/s
Cnts/s
GRB B - Swift
VLT Image
GRB BeppoSAX
HST Image
BAT
XRT
Short GRBs
in non-SF
elliptical
galaxies
Long GRBs
in SF
galaxies

4. Collapsar - Massive Star Explosion
Models
Short GRB
Long GRB
Neutron Star Merger
Collapsar - Massive Star Explosion
Black Hole Birth

5. The Making of a NS Binary System
neutron star H
Fe core