List of Space Telescopes - Gamma Ray

Gamma Ray

Further information: Gamma ray astronomy

Gamma ray telescopes collect and measure individual, high energy gamma rays from astrophysical sources. These are absorbed by the atmosphere, requiring that observations are done by high-altitude balloons or space missions. Gamma rays can be generated by supernovae, neutron stars, pulsars and black holes. Gamma ray bursts, with extremely high energies, have also been detected but have yet to be identified.

  • An illustration of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

  • Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope drawing

  • An illustration of Granat

Name Space Agency Launch Date Terminated Location Ref(s)
3rd High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO 3) NASA 20 September 1979 29 May 1981 Earth orbit (486.4–504.9 km)
Astrorivelatore Gamma ad Immagini LEggero (AGILE) ISA 23 April 2007 — Earth orbit (524–553 km)
Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) NASA 5 April 1991 4 June 2000 Earth orbit (362–457 km)
Cos-B ESA 9 August 1975 25 April 1982 Earth orbit (339.6–99,876 km)
Gamma USSR, CNES, RSA 1 July 1990 1992 Earth orbit (375 km)
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope NASA 11 June 2008 — Earth orbit (555 km)
Granat CNRS & IKI 1 December 1989 25 May 1999 Earth orbit (2,000–200,000 km)
High Energy Transient Explorer 2 (HETE 2) NASA 9 October 2000 2007 ? Earth orbit (590–650 km)
International Gamma Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) ESA 17 October 2002 — Earth orbit (639–153,000 km)
Low Energy Gamma Ray Imager (LEGRI) INTA 19 May 1997 2002 Earth orbit (600 km)
Second Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS 2) NASA 15 November 1972 8 June 1973 Earth orbit (443–632 km)
Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer NASA 20 November 2004 — Earth orbit (585–604 km)

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Famous quotes containing the word ray:

    “Our reason may prove what it will: our reason is only a feeble ray that has issued from Nature.”
    —Maurice Maeterlinck (1862–1949)