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<\/a><\/figure>StarBurst, a wide-field gamma ray observatory, arrived at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center<\/a> in Huntsville, Alabama, March 4 for environmental testing and final instrument integration. The instrument is designed to detect the initial emission of short gamma-ray bursts<\/a>, a key electromagnetic indicator of neutron star mergers.<\/p>\n \u201cGamma-ray bursts are among the most powerful explosions in the universe, and they serve as cosmic beacons<\/a> that help us understand extreme physics, including black hole formation and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions,\u201d said Dr. Daniel Kocevski, principal investigator of the StarBurst mission at NASA Marshall.<\/p>\n According to Kocevski, neutron star mergers are particularly exciting because they produce gamma-ray bursts and gravitational waves, meaning scientists can study these events using two different signals \u2013 light and ripples in space time.<\/p>\n The merging of neutron stars forges heavy elements such as gold and platinum, revealing the origins of some of Earth\u2019s building blocks.<\/p>\n \u201cBy studying these gamma-ray bursts and the neutron star mergers that produce them, we gain insights into fundamental physics, the origins of elements, and even the expansion of the universe,\u201d Kocevski said. \u201cNeutron star mergers and gamma-ray bursts are nature\u2019s laboratories for testing our understanding of the cosmos.\u201d<\/p>\n StarBurst will undergo flight vibration and thermal vacuum testing at Marshall in the Sunspot Thermal Vacuum Testing Facility.<\/a> These tests ensure it can survive the rigors of launch and harsh environment of space.<\/p>\n Final instrument integration will happen in the Stray Light Facility, which is a specialized environment to help identify and reduce unwanted light in certain areas of the optical systems.<\/p>\n StarBurst is a collaborative effort led by NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center, with partnerships with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the University of Alabama Huntsville, the Universities Space Research Association, and the UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory. StarBurst was selected for development as part of the NASA Astrophysics Pioneers program, which supports lower-cost, smaller hardware missions to conduct compelling astrophysics science.<\/p>\n To learn more about StarBurst visit:<\/p>\n https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/starburst\/<\/a><\/p>\n Media Contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lane Figueroa Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a> StarBurst, a wide-field gamma ray observatory, arrived at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, March 4 for environmental testing and final instrument integration. The instrument is designed to detect the initial emission of short gamma-ray bursts, a key electromagnetic indicator of neutron star mergers. \u201cGamma-ray bursts are among the most powerful explosions in [\u2026] Continue reading <\/a><\/figure><\/a><\/figure>
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama
256.544.0034
lane.e.figueroa@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBeth Ridgeway <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"