astronomy

Astrophysics with H.E.S.S.

Gamma Rays are the most energetic form of radiation and are produced by the most extreme objects (such as neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black holes) in the Universe. A single object undergoing a gamma ray burst can momentarily shine 10 x brighter than an entire galaxy which contains hundreds of …

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Novae Surprise with Gamma Rays

In a classical nova, a white dwarf siphons material off a companion star, piling up material on its surface until thermonuclear processes kick off, creating a brilliant outburst. NASA / JPL-Caltech Astronomers have detected gamma-ray emission from three classical novae, an unexpected discovery that has left them perplexed. Some days, it seems like everything is …

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Fermi finds a “transformer” pulsar

This artist’s rendering shows one model of pulsar J1023 before its radio emission (green) vanished. Normally, an outflow of high-energy particles from the pulsar staves off the gas stream from its companion. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center An exceptional binary containing a rapidly spinning neutron star underwent a dramatic change in behavior never before observed …

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New mass map of a distant galaxy cluster is the most precise yet

Created using observations from Hubble’s Frontier Fields observing program, the map shows the amount and distribution of mass within MCS J0416.1–2403. By Hubble ESA, Garching, Germany | Published: Thursday, July 24, 2014 Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have mapped the mass within a galaxy cluster more precisely than ever before. Created using observations …

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