Media Information
 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Collection
Title:
The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory
Explanation:
The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…] (CGRO) was the most massive instrument ever launched by a NASA Space Shuttle [ http://spaceflight.…] in 1991 and continues to revolutionize gamma-ray astronomy [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…]. Before Compton loses more stabilizing gyroscopes, NASA is considering [ http://cnn.com/2000…] firing onboard rockets to bring it on a controlled reentry into the ocean. This orbiting observatory sees the sky in gamma-ray photons [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…] - light so blue humans can't see it. These photons are blocked by the Earth's atmosphere from reaching the Earth's surface. Results from CGRO, pictured above [ http://images.jsc.n…], have shown the entire universe to be a violent and rapidly changing place - when viewed in gamma-rays. Astronomers using CGRO data continue to make monumental discoveries [ http://adsabs.harva…], including identifying mysterious gamma-ray bursts [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…ray burst ] that uniquely illuminate the early universe, discovery of a whole new class of QSOs [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…], and discovery of objects so strange [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…] that astronomers can't yet figure out what they are.
Credit and Copyright:
STS-37 [ http://www.ksc.nasa…] Crew, Compton Science Support Center [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…], NASA [ http://www.nasa.gov/]
keyword:
satellite
keyword:
gamma-rays
keyword:
observatory
facet_when:
1991
facet_where:
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
facet_where:
Johnson Space Center (JSC)
facet_what:
Earth
facet_what:
EGRET
facet_what:
Space Shuttle Orbiter
facet_when_year:
1991
original url:
http://antwrp.gsfc.…
UID:
SPD-APOD-ap000116

The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory
Add To Workspace Export