Observing the First Stars, One Star at a Time

Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are believed to originate in compact remnants (black holes or neutron stars) of massive stars. Their high luminosities make them detectable out to the edge of the visible universe. We describe the many advantages of GRB afterglows relative to quasars as probes of the intergalactic medium during the epoch of reionization. The Swift satellite, planned for launch by the end of 2003, will likely open a new era in observations of the high redshift universe.