|
|
Article: gamma-ray astronomy
- Article from:
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
CopyrightThe Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information)
|
gamma-ray astronomy study of astronomical objects by analysis of the most energetic
electromagnetic radiation
they emit. Gamma rays are shorter in wavelength and hence more energetic than
X rays
(see
gamma radiation
) but much harder to detect and to pinpoint. X rays and some gamma rays are produced throughout the universe by the same catastrophic astrophysical events, such as
supernovas
and
black holes
, and gamma-ray astronomy can be considered an extension of
X-ray astronomy
to the extreme shortwave end of the
spectrum
.
Gamma rays are difficult to observe from ground-based telescopes due to atmospheric interference, and high-altitude balloons, sounding
rockets
, and ...
Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:
|
|
Article: Enlightenment: gamma-ray astronomy.
The Economist (US);
April 24, 1993 ;
700+ words
... ... hitherto unremarkable, suddenly pours out gamma rays. But some last a tenth of a second ... wane smoothly. The wavelengths of the gamma rays - electromagnetic radiation like visible ... the moment this is difficult. Because gamma- rays are so energetic they are hard to capture ...
|
|