A closer look at “NASA’s Swift Observatory Ends 20-Year Mission, Leaves Gamma-Ray Legacy”, exactly as the source publishes it. NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has concluded its science operations after nearly two decades in orbit. The spacecraft now circles Earth at less than 171 miles (275 kilometers), where increased atmospheric drag prevents its telescopes from maintaining steady focus on distant cosmic targets. Swift’s final observation took place on October 20, marking the end of a mission that transformed our understanding of gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.
Since its launch in 2004, Swift detected over 1,600 gamma-ray bursts and provided rapid alerts to astronomers worldwide, enabling detailed follow-up studies across the electromagnetic spectrum. The observatory also made key discoveries about supernovae, black holes, and other high-energy phenomena. Its legacy includes a vast public archive of data that will continue to fuel scientific research for years. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.