GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope) is a space-based observatory designed to study the high-energy gamma rays, typically emitted by celestial objects such as supernovae, pulsars, active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The observatory was launched by NASA on June 11, 2008, and is an important contribution to the field of gamma-ray astronomy.
GLAST is equipped with state-of-the-art detectors and instruments, including the Large Area Telescope (LAT), which is its primary instrument for observing gamma rays. The LAT comprises a particle detector made of layers of tungsten and silicon, along with precision trackers and calorimeters. This instrument allows GLAST to capture gamma rays and accurately determine their energies, arrival directions, and arrival times.
By surveying the sky in gamma rays at energy levels ranging from 20 Mega-electronvolts (MeV) to more than 300 Gigaelectronvolts (GeV), GLAST provides valuable information about the most extreme events and phenomena in the universe. It enables scientists to deepen their understanding of astrophysical processes like particle acceleration, black holes, and the composition and structure of cosmic rays.
The data collected by GLAST is pivotal for the advancement of high-energy astrophysics, as well as for possible insights into the fundamental laws of physics. The GLAST mission is a collaboration between NASA, the Department of Energy, and international partners, offering a comprehensive view of the gamma-ray sky and contributing to scientific breakthroughs in our exploration of the cosmos.
