Fermi Sees Gamma Rays from Far Side Solar Flares

The video explores solar activity, focusing on how sunspots and magnetic fields can lead to coronal mass ejections and gamma ray emissions. NASA's Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope plays a crucial role in observing these phenomena, even detecting gamma rays from solar storms on the sun's far side. This unexpected observation helps scientists understand particle acceleration and gamma ray production during solar storms.

What is the primary role of NASA's Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope?

• To track meteor showers

• To study the moon's surface

• To observe the entire sky for gamma rays

• To monitor the Earth's atmosphere

How are gamma rays typically produced on the sun?

• Through the interaction of cosmic rays with the sun's surface gas

• By the reflection of sunlight

• Through the collision of asteroids

• By the fusion of hydrogen atoms

What happens when magnetic fields near sunspots release their energy?

• The sun's magnetic field weakens

• Charged particles are rapidly accelerated

• The sun's rotation speeds up

• The sun's temperature decreases

How can particles from a coronal mass ejection reach the opposite side of the sun?

• By bouncing off the Earth's atmosphere

• By being deflected by the moon

• By following magnetic field lines

• By traveling through the sun's core

What is the significance of Fermi's detection of gamma rays from the far side of the sun?

• It confirms the existence of black holes near the sun

• It helps understand particle acceleration and gamma ray production

• It proves the sun is shrinking

• It shows the sun's magnetic field is weakening