Speaker: Steve Kerby (Penn State University)

The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was originally designed to study gamma-ray bursts, but now does many types of multi-wavelength astronomy. Though lesser-known than flagship spacecraft like the James Webb or Hubble space telescopes, Swift has nonetheless made a staggering variety of discoveries since its launch in 2004. Join Steve Kerby—PhD candidate at Penn State University—for a discussion on the history of the plucky satellite, its diverse observational capabilities, and an ongoing project to investigate mysterious supermassive black holes in the distant universe.

Recorded live on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

The STScI Public Lecture Series offers talks on a diverse selection of cosmic topics, typically held the first Tuesday of every month. The 2022 Public Lecture Series is continuing an online-only format. This lecture will be presented with a livestream to YouTube, and questions can be asked in the YouTube chat. As usual, the recording will also be posted on our YouTube channel. We will, as necessary, adjust from the traditional first Tuesday at 8 PM schedule to accommodate our speakers.

Live and archived recordings:

• News and introductions
• Surprising Supercharged Science with Swift (YouTube)