Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Overview

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly GLAST) is designed to survey the sky in high-energy gamma rays, studying exotic astronomical objects such as black holes, neutron stars, and investigating dark matter and the early universe.

Primary Objectives

• Study gamma-ray sources such as active galaxies and pulsars
• Search for evidence of dark matter
• Study gamma-ray bursts
• Explore the high-energy universe

Notable Discoveries

• Detected over 5,000 gamma-ray sources including pulsars and blazars
• Discovered giant gamma-ray bubbles extending from the Milky Way's center
• Observed the highest-energy light ever seen from the sun during solar flares
• Found evidence of cosmic rays accelerated by supernova remnants

Technical Specifications