Astronomy is the science of studying the changes in the astronomical world or what is known to us as the “heavenly bodies”. Gamma rays are high energy photons that has no mass and is devoid of any charge. The heavenly bodies are in constant motion in space, while in motion there are a lot of interactions which leads to emission of rays. This is how gamma rays are created and this lead to a branch of astronomical study, which is known as gamma-ray astronomy.
Gamma rays are high energy photons which is emitted by electromagnetic substances. The formation of gamma rays in space is a result of the following processes :
supernova explosions
cosmic ray interactions with interstellar gases
reaction between electrons and magnetic fields
Gamma-ray astronomy involves studying the emissions in outer space. This required instruments to be placed above the earth’s atmosphere as the earth’s atmosphere absorbs most of the radiations. The first venture for observation of gamma ray radiation was in 1961, when the first gamma – ray telescope was carried on board the Explorer – XI satellite.
Initial study of Gamma-ray astronomy revealed the existence of a gamma ray field. Scientist believe that the formation of gamma rays is because of the interaction of cosmic rays with gases. The next attempt at unraveling the mysteries of astronomical gamma ray study was in 1967. It detected about 621 emissions of cosmic gamma rays. The major breakthrough in gamma-ray astronomy came in the period between 1972 and 1982. The fact there indeed exists a gamma ray background was established. Point sources of gamma ray emission were identified and a map chalked out based on gamma ray wavelengths.
There are certain difficulties that is encountered in astronomical gamma ray study. The foremost being the instruments which detect gamma rays often cannot filter cosmic ray particles. The other factor is that the gamma rays often appear dimmer than visible photons due to the magnitude of visible photons that is emitted along with gamma rays. Gamma rays are high energy rays, which further makes its detection difficult.
To overcome these problems NASA had launched a satellite, which has improved the resolution of gamma ray detection instruments. The Compton Gamma – Ray Observatory has greatly improved the study of Gamma-ray astronomy. Currently scientists are at work to construct sensitive gamma ray detectors that can work round the high energy associated with gamma rays and provide better resolution of gamma ray point sources. Solid state detectors, pair telescopes, scintillation detectors and Compton scattering are examples of various gamma ray detectors
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