Gamma-Ray Burster
Explanation:
What and where are the
Gamma-Ray Bursters?
Since their
discovery
in the early 1970s, nobody has been able to
explain the cause of
mysterious flashes of
gamma rays
that come from seemingly random directions on the sky.
Worse yet, it is even unclear whether these
high energy explosions originate
in our own Galaxy or in distant galaxies across the Universe.
Until late last month, these bursters were known only by their
gamma-ray flashes - no counterpart had been seen at any other wavelength.
But on February 28, an Italian/Dutch satellite known as
BeppoSAX
detected what may well be
X-rays from a burster,
eight hours after the
gamma-ray flash.
The discovery image is shown above. Still hours later, using
the position provided by this X-ray image,
ground-based telescopes recovered an even better located
variable optical source which also seems to be related to the burster.
Dramatically, this optical transient has faded now.
In its place lies a steady source that appears to be
a dim, distant galaxy.
Did this Gamma-Ray Burst originate in the distant galaxy?
If so, it answers one facet of one of modern
astronomy's greatest controversies.
If not, this would not be the first
fortuitous coincidence to mislead astronomers.
Future satellite and ground-based observations will tell.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
