Have you ever wondered what comes from a supernova(when a star explodes at the end of its life) occurs, or a black hole? Well, one thing that does are gamma rays. Gamma rays are the highest form of energy that we know of on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Gamma rays are the most energetic form of light, that has been detected. They are about the size of an atomic nucleus. The frequency range for gamma rays is greater than 10^20 Hz. The wavelength range of gamma rays is less than 10^-12 m. Gamma rays aren't visible, considering they are about the size of a nucleus of an atom, but we are able to gain knowledge about what they look like and do from the Fermi Ga
mma-Ray Space Telescope. This telescope has helped us learn new information about supernovae, black holes, pulsars, and neutron stars, all of which involve gamma rays.
Image via: The Internet Encyclopedia of Science
Gamma rays are extremely dangerous, and can kill humans. Luckily, our atmosphere is able to deflect the rays, so they don't enter the earth. Gamma-Ray bursts can release more energy in 10 seconds, than the sun will emit in its entire life-time. We're not sure where they come from yet, but they are very powerful.
Images:
http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour/electromagnetic_spectrum.php
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/G/gamma-ray_burst.html
Sources:
“Gamma Rays.” EPA. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.
“Gamma-Rays.” Hyper Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.
“Gamma Rays.” NASA. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.
