Since I last posted, I was sent the frame stripper program and ran it successfully. When I tried to run program #2, which converts raw satellite data to level 0 data, I discovered I was lacking a GBM-specific subprogram. I managed to find the program on the internet, but I do not have access to install it in the directory it needs to be in.

Meanwhile, I received GBM Instrument Operations Center (GIOC) science tools package, with a list of instructions. Unfortunately, the directions are minimal. Linux is not user-friendly, and installations are not obvious or intuitive. I'm on step #2 of the instructions, “Install the GIOC software,” but I don't know how. The Linux guy Bob (who's also the only one who knows the root password to this computer) agreed to help me, but he's been on vacation most of this week and will be back on Monday.

I'm not completely useless when it comes to Linux installations. I was able to download and install the latest version of HEASOFT today with little trouble. I also updated my Swift XRT calibration database (CALDB) files yesterday.

A GRB was detected by Swift over the July 4th holiday. Its windowed timing (wt) light curve has a beautiful bright flare in a fast rise exponential decay (FRED) shape.

I've been reading about the cannonball model, which seems to be the current favorite GRB model for some scientists, based on what I've read in recent publications. According to the model, prompt gamma-ray and X-ray emissions are produced by inverse Compton scattering, and later X-ray emissions are produced by synchrotron radiation. I'm trying to truly understand the theory behind the model.