Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The Stargazer , a modified Lockheed L-1011 aircraft, soared into the skies above Kwajalein Atoll in the pacific on October 9th. Dropped from its mother ship, the Pegasus then successfully flew HETE-2 into orbit. Gamma-ray bursts are impressive, believed to be the most powerful explosions in the Universe, but so few have been well located and studied that the nature of the bursters themselves is still shrouded in mystery. Communications antennae and solar panels neatly folded, HETE-2 is seen here being carefully enclosed in the Pegasus nose fairing.
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