Gamma Rays from a Nova -First time

CraigS · #1 13-08-2010, 07:39 AM

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

renormalised (Carl) · #2 13-08-2010, 09:50 AM

Very interesting article

It will be interesting to see the data coming from SWIFT and the models produced from the data. I shouldn't imagine that all novae would be powerful enough to generate gamma rays, but we'll never know until we find out. Since these events are common enough, we should be able to get a few more observed to tie down the science reasonably well in a realtively short time period.

CraigS · #3 13-08-2010, 10:31 AM

Y'know, standing back from it all, we really are privileged to experience all this new data coming from technologies like orbiting multi-spectral telescopes, LHCs, ground based adaptive optics, etc.

Just about every day there's more new discoveries coming from the professionals.

At the amateur level, a few years ago, it would have been unheard of for anyone to be able to afford say, a 12" tracking newtonian, (or an SCT), equipped for imaging etc, in their back yard, let alone having the capability to discover a nova.

The 'Golden Age of Cosmology' - perhaps a good topic for the 'General Chat' board.

Cheers

renormalised (Carl) · #4 13-08-2010, 10:41 AM

Yes, we are privileged to be around at this time in so far as all these new discoveries are occurring. It makes for very interesting science.

Amateur astronomy has undergone a quantum leap in the last decade or so. What amateurs have access to and can do now is simply amazing. You could say that many have become semi-professional in their abilities and the use of the equipment available to them. The only thing missing is the formal qualifications

. But most aren't in astronomy for that.

Funnily enough, I know of some professionals who are still "amateurs", in that they still own and operate their own scopes and enjoy peeking around and taking piccies just as much as anyone else

. However, their added learning gives them an appreciation and insight that not many amateurs have...and that's good for the general amateur community because they can share that with them.

CraigS · #5 13-08-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renormalised

Yes, we are privileged to be around at this time in so far as all these new discoveries are occurring. It makes for very interesting science.

Amateur astronomy has undergone a quantum leap in the last decade or so. What amateurs have access to and can do now is simply amazing. You could say that many have become semi-professional in their abilities and the use of the equipment available to them. The only thing missing is the formal qualifications

. But most aren't in astronomy for that.

Funnily enough, I know of some professionals who are still "amateurs", in that they still own and operate their own scopes and enjoy peeking around and taking piccies just as much as anyone else

. However, their added learning gives them an appreciation and insight that not many amateurs have...and that's good for the general amateur community because they can share that with them.

Yep .. I was about to say that interpretation of the huge pile of data accumulated requires a disciplined, trained thinking, available to most folk (in this country) who sign up for it - and all it involves. Multiple "Distinctions" need to be kept in mind when cruising the data, in order to make sense of it.

But first & foremost, & above all of these Distinctions are: "Hamster's Handles on Realty" (HHR for short) ....

... (Soon to become available at a newsagent near to you !!)