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- 1Scientists explain how a 300 TeV photon reached Earth●Scientists explain how a 300 TeV photon could reach Earth
Physicists say they can explain how a photon with an energy of 300 teraelectronvolts — among the most energetic gamma rays ever detected — managed to arrive at Earth. Such extreme photons are expected to be absorbed or degraded over cosmic distances, so the finding is drawing attention as a challenge to standard models of high-energy astrophysics and may point to unexpected sources or propagation mechanisms.
- 2Swift Observatory to End Two-Decade Mission with 2026 Re-entry●The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is concluding its two-decade mission as its orbit decays, leading toward an anticipat
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is wrapping up a roughly twenty-year career in space as its orbit slowly decays, with atmospheric re-entry expected in late 2026. Launched in 2004, the NASA satellite became a cornerstone of high-energy astrophysics, prized for its rapid response to gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic explosions. Space enthusiasts and astronomers are marking the end of an era for one of the most productive observatories of its generation.