At 2107 UTC on 23 April, the rising tide of X-rays from a superflare on red dwarf DG CVn triggered Swift‘s Burst Alert Telescope (BAT). The satellite turned to observe the source in greater detail with its other instruments and notified astronomers around the globe that a powerful outburst was in progress.
BTW, my principal contribution to the Swift satellite was the design and testing of the ultra-quiet power regulation system for the sensor array in the BAT.
Video Credit: NASA
What’s the difference between Hoge’s job and his hobby? In one he tracks dwarfs involved in unexpected explosions, and in the other he designs and tests the ultra-quiet power regulation system for the sensor array in the BAT
Heh.
Wow!
I would assume that this event would make the night sky a thing of beauty… If you lived long enough to actually view it.