Sign up for our newswire and receive the latest press releases from particle physics labs around the world.
| Sort By: | Image # | Lab | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
When stars explode, the supernovas send off shock waves like the one shown in this artist's rendition, which accelerate protons to cosmic-ray energies through a process known as Fermi acceleration. (Credit: Greg Stewart / SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) |
|||
 |
This image combines data from ESA's Herschel Space Observatory with Fermi's gamma-ray observations (magenta) of supernova remnant W44. This remnant is a prime example of the remains of a supernova interacting with dense interstellar material around it and was one of two supernova remnants that provided the data Fermi needed to prove that cosmic rays are accelerated in supernova shock waves. (Credit: NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT Collaboration and ESA/Herschel) |
|||
 |
In order to understand the origin and acceleration of cosmic-ray protons, researchers used data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and targeted W44 and IC 443, two supernova remnants thousands of light years away. Both turned out to be strong sources of gamma rays, but not at energies below what neutral pion decay would produce - the observational proof scientists had been looking for. (Credit: NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT Collaboration) |
|||
 |
Finding evidence for the acceleration of protons has long been a key issue in the efforts to explain the origin of cosmic rays. This pair of spectra from two supernova remnants, shown here with data from various satellites and wavelengths, are the "smoking gun" that researchers have been looking for. The Fermi Large Area Telescope's observations fit neatly with predictions of neutral pion decay. (Credit: NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT Collaboration, Chandra X-ray Observatory, ESA Herschel/XMM-Newton) |
|||
 |
IKAROS Spacecraft (Courtesy: JAXA) |
|||
Images from the Interactions.org website may be downloaded, reproduced and published free of charge for use in newspapers, online news sites, educational materials and websites, and other not-for-profit educational outlets. For other uses, please request permission. All the images from the Interactions.org image bank are the property of the contributing organizations. The credit line accompanying each photo must appear, as listed, in the publication.
