Gamma‐ray lines: A new window to the Universe

MAR 01, 1978

Line emission in the gamma‐ray band, an emerging branch of astronomy based on balloon and satellite data, probes the physics of nucleosynthesis, the interstellar medium, solar flares, supernovae and neutron stars.

DOI: 10.1063/1.2994967

Richard E. Lingenfelter

Reuven Ramaty

Gamma‐ray lines are the signature of nuclear processes taking place at many astrophysical sites. The observation of line emission in the celestial gamma‐ray spectrum, although a venture still in its infancy, is one of enormous potential, opening as it does a new and exciting window to the Universe. The potential for the extension of our knowledge of the Universe through celestial nuclear‐line spectroscopy may match—or even exceed—that already achieved by extensive studies of the two other fundamental types of line emission, atomic and molecular. Because of their greater penetration, nuclear lines can be observed from processes and regions from which other lines can not.

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More about the Authors

Richard E. Lingenfelter. University of California, Los Angeles.

Reuven Ramaty. Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md..