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Old 13-08-2010, 07:39 AM
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CraigS
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CraigS is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Australia
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Gamma Rays from a Nova -First time

In the news this morning:

Gamma Rays observed from Nova eruption for the first time...
V407 Cyg in Nova Cygni 2010 (originally discovered by amateurs) !

Journo article (full of sensationalist lingo, mind you ..):

http://www.physorg.com/news200849593.html

"Astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope have detected gamma-rays from a nova for the first time, a finding that stunned observers and theorists alike. The discovery overturns the notion that novae explosions lack the power to emit such high-energy radiation."

"Scientists believe the emission arose as a million-mile-per-hour shock wave raced from the site of the explosion."

Good to get some more hard info to 'true up' theories.
Science in progress !

Cheers
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