Universe
ID: 12505
NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has found a signal at the center of the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy that could indicate the presence of the mysterious stuff known as dark matter. The gamma-ray signal is similar to one seen by Fermi at the center of our own Milky Way galaxy.
Gamma rays are the highest-energy form of light, produced by the universe's most energetic phenomena. They're common in galaxies like the Milky Way because cosmic rays, particles moving near the speed of light, produce gamma rays when they interact with interstellar gas clouds and starlight.
Surprisingly, the latest Fermi data shows the gamma rays in Andromeda-also known as M31-are confined to the galaxy's center instead of spread throughout. To explain this unusual distribution, scientists are proposing that the emission may come from several undetermined sources. One of them could be dark matter, an unknown substance that makes up most of the universe.
Fermi Detects Gamma-ray Puzzle from M31
Gamma rays are the highest-energy form of light, produced by the universe's most energetic phenomena. They're common in galaxies like the Milky Way because cosmic rays, particles moving near the speed of light, produce gamma rays when they interact with interstellar gas clouds and starlight.
Surprisingly, the latest Fermi data shows the gamma rays in Andromeda-also known as M31-are confined to the galaxy's center instead of spread throughout. To explain this unusual distribution, scientists are proposing that the emission may come from several undetermined sources. One of them could be dark matter, an unknown substance that makes up most of the universe.
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NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual items should be credited as indicated above.
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual items should be credited as indicated above.
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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12505
Mission:
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
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Keywords:
SVS >> Galaxy
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Music
SVS >> Neutron Star
SVS >> Astrophysics
SVS >> Pulsar
SVS >> Edited Feature
SVS >> Space
SVS >> Dark Matter
SVS >> Fermi
SVS >> Supernova
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NASA Science >> Universe
SVS >> Gamma Ray
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12505
Mission:
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
Data Used: Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.
This item is part of these series:
Narrated Movies
Astrophysics Stills
Astrophysics Features
Keywords:
SVS >> Galaxy
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Music
SVS >> Neutron Star
SVS >> Astrophysics
SVS >> Pulsar
SVS >> Edited Feature
SVS >> Space
SVS >> Dark Matter
SVS >> Fermi
SVS >> Supernova
SVS >> Star
NASA Science >> Universe
SVS >> Gamma Ray
