IN MEMORIAM: ARTHUR C. CLARKE

Clarke, the author of more than 100 books, including "2001: A Space Odyssey",
died early Wednesday, March 19, 2008 after suffering from breathing problems.
He was 90.

A COSMIC COINCIDENCE

This powerful stellar explosion - a bright Gamma-Ray Burst detected March 19 by NASA's Swift satellite - has shattered the record for the most distant object that could be seen with the naked eye. The image shows the X-ray afterglow as seen by the X-Ray Telescope (left) and the bright optical afterglow as observed by the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope on board Swift.
Credit: NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler

On March 19, 2008, the NASA satellite Swift observed four separate Gamma Ray Bursts,
the most powerful explosions in the Universe, each the signature of a massive star reaching
the end of its life and exploding. Never before had Swift seen four bursts in one day.

"Coincidentally, the passing of Arthur C. Clarke seems to have set the universe ablaze with gamma ray bursts," said Swift science team member Judith Racusin of Penn State University.
See full report here

SUPPORT THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE FOUNDATION

Science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke, poses at his home in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
May 9, 2007 (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

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