NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Collection

The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…] (CGRO) was the most massive instrument ever launched [ http://www.ksc.nasa…] by a NASA Space Shuttle and continues to revolutionize gamma-ray astronomy. This orbiting observatory sees the sky in gamma-ray photons - 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 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, including showing that mysterious flashes of gamma-rays are much more powerful than previously imagined [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…], discovery of a whole new class of QSO [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…], and discovery of objects so strange that astronomers can't yet figure out what they are [ http://cossc.gsfc.n…].

Tomorrow's picture: Atlantis Landing

NASA [ http://www.nasa.gov/], Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Science Support Center [ http://heasarc.gsfc…]

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Earth

EGRET

Space Shuttle Orbiter

http://antwrp.gsfc.…

SPD-APOD-ap950811