gamma-ray astronomy

[ gam-uh-rey ]

noun

1. the branch of astronomy that deals with the study of celestial objects by means of the gamma rays that come from them.

gamma-ray astronomy

noun

1. the investigation of cosmic gamma rays, such as those from quasars

gamma ray astronomy

1. The study of astronomical objects by analyzing the gamma rays they emit. Because gamma rays are subject to atmospheric interference that makes them difficult to observe using ground-based telescopes, high-altitude balloons and orbiting observatories are often used to detect them. Most gamma rays in the universe are produced by events such as supernovas and black holes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamma-ray astronomy¹

First recorded in 1960–1965

Example Sentences

The Kobe University researcher explains, "By means of scientific balloon-borne experiments, we can attempt to contribute to many areas of astrophysics, and in particular to open up gamma-ray telescopy to 'multi-messenger astronomy' where simultaneous measurements of the same event captured through different techniques are required. Based on the success of the 2018 balloon experiment these data were generated with, we will expand the observation area and time in upcoming balloon flights and are looking forward to scientific breakthroughs in the field of gamma-ray astronomy."

From Science Daily

The results did not come easy, especially because China was a latecomer to the field of gamma-ray astronomy.

From Scientific American

Astrophysics, like many other subjects, is moving forward at a fantastic pace; but in few other subjects have so many fascinating discoveries been made in the past few decades — pulsars were discovered in February 1968, quasars in 1963, the microwave background of the universe in 1965, X-ray astronomy was started in 1962, gamma-ray astronomy in 1966, neutrino astrophysics in 1964 and the grandfather of them all, radio astronomy, only dates back to 1946.

From Nature

It's part of the reason that the gamma-ray astronomy field is so exciting - because it's so fresh.

From BBC