A Brief History of Gamma-ray Astronomy
Long before they could detect Gamma-rays, scientists suspected this type
of radiation was produced throughout the universe. To identify these emissions,
Earth-bound detectors needed to be placed outside our atmosphere, which
typically absorbs gamma rays. In 1961, the Explorer XI satellite carried
the first gamma-ray telescope into Earth's orbit. This instrument gathered
fewer than 100 cosmic Gamma-ray photons, Gamma-ray astronomy was born.
The information provided is based on an article by Jeremy McGovern.
Past Missions
Current Missions
Future Missions
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