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https://theconversation.com/a-next-generation-gamma-ray-observatory-is-underway-to-probe-the-extreme-universe-191772>
"Long gone are the days when astronomers only studied the skies with simple
optical telescopes. Today, unveiling the mysteries of the Universe involves
ever-larger and more complex facilities that detect things like gravitational
waves and different forms of electromagnetic radiation – the spectrum of energy
that includes visible light and X-rays.
One particularly specialised branch of astronomy is gamma-ray astronomy. It
does what is says on the tin, searching for gamma rays, which are the most
energetic photons (light particles) on the electromagnetic spectrum. In fact,
they are millions of times more energetic than the light we can see.
In astronomy, gamma rays are produced by some of the hottest, most energetic
events in the universe, such as star explosions and black holes violently
“feeding” on surrounding matter. While gamma rays are now linked to dozens of
different types of sources, in many cases we still don’t know conclusively what
kinds of energetic particles are creating these rays.
Excitingly, gamma-ray astronomy is due to get a massive leg up with a new
facility. Once the globally distributed Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is
complete, it will view the gamma-ray sky with ten times more sensitivity than
what’s currently possible.
With more than 60 telescopes, the CTA is expected to provide deep insight into
the nature of dark matter – an invisible, hypothetical type of matter making up
about 85% of the mass of the Universe. The array could also help solve one of
the longest-running mysteries in astronomy: where cosmic ray particles
(energetic nuclei and electrons in our galaxy and beyond) come from. Gamma rays
are linked to these particles, providing a means to trace them."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
