NASA | Fermi Spots 'Superflares' in the Crab Nebula

The video explores the Crab Nebula, the remnants of a supernova observed in 1054, and its pulsar, a magnetized neutron star. The pulsar emits gamma rays, making it one of the brightest sources in the sky. Despite its brightness, the pulsar is not the source of the nebula's flares. NASA's Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory have studied these flares, which are caused by electrons moving at near-light speeds. These electrons emit gamma rays when interacting with magnetic fields, reaching energies 100 times higher than Earth's particle accelerators. The video highlights the ongoing mystery and scientific interest in these phenomena.

What is the Crab Nebula a remnant of?

• A galaxy

• A black hole

• A comet

• A supernova

What is the primary tool used to observe the flares in the Crab Nebula?

• Kepler Space Telescope

• Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope

• James Webb Space Telescope

• Hubble Space Telescope

How much brighter did the most powerful flare make the Crab Nebula compared to its normal state?

• 40 times brighter

• 20 times brighter

• 10 times brighter

• 30 times brighter

What is believed to cause the gamma rays in the Crab Nebula flares?

• Protons moving at high speeds

• Electrons moving near the speed of light

• Photons colliding with each other

• Neutrons interacting with magnetic fields

How do the energies of the electrons causing the flares compare to those produced on Earth?

• 200 times higher

• 100 times higher

• 50 times higher

• 10 times higher