NASA | Fermi at Five Years

The Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope, launched in 2008, has made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe. It has observed gamma rays from various cosmic events, confirmed Einstein's theory of space-time, and provided insights into dark matter. Fermi has also detected supernova remnants, pulsars, and solar flares, revealing new information about cosmic rays and antimatter. The telescope's continuous operation has been crucial, even avoiding a potential collision with a defunct satellite, ensuring ongoing scientific discoveries.

What significant confirmation did the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope make regarding space and time?

• Space and time are only theoretical concepts.

• Space and time are discrete and fragmented.

• Space and time are smooth and continuous.

• Space and time are non-existent.

What type of high-energy event did Fermi observe from a dying star in a distant galaxy?

• A neutron star collision

• A black hole formation

• A supernova explosion

• A gamma ray burst

What cosmic structures did Fermi help to better understand through its observations?

• Dark matter

• Galactic clusters

• Asteroids

• Comets

What did Fermi's observations reveal about supernova remnants?

• They do not emit any radiation.

• They are sources of cosmic rays.

• They are only visible in infrared light.

• They are devoid of any energy.

How many gamma ray pulsars were discovered by Fermi based on their gamma ray pulsations alone?

• About 100

• About 50

• About 30

• About 10

What did Fermi's observations during a solar flare in March 2012 reveal?

• The Sun emits no gamma rays.

• The Sun's flares are not energetic.

• Solar flares are only visible in ultraviolet light.

• The highest energy light ever recorded from a solar flare.

What was discovered about thunderstorms through Fermi's observations?

• They only occur in the tropics.

• They produce antimatter.

• They are silent phenomena.

• They have no effect on gamma rays.