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For the first time, astronomers have glimpsed the early stages of a supernova -- a giant explosion marking the death of a massive star. Visible light from supernovae don't reach telescopes until weeks after an explosion occurs, but in January NASA's Swift satellite managed to catch a seven-minute X-ray blast that marked the beginning of the event.
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| Swift Satellite |
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| NASA's Swift Satellite, an orbiting observatory launched in 2004, can detect gamma-rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet and visible light. |
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| Photo Credit: NASA |
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