NASA'S Fermi Telescope Discovers Giant Structure In Our Galaxy

In summary, the conversation discusses a recent news article from NASA about the discovery of two large bubbles in the Milky Way and speculation on their cause. Some suggest it could be from an explosion in the center of the galaxy, while others bring up a past theory about galaxies being formed from intersecting bubbles. The conversation also raises questions about the future of our solar system as it travels through the "local fluff" and the potential for increased intensity and size of the cosmic rays.
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  • #2
The article you cited offers two possible explanations, that the Milky Way recently had an active galactic nucleus or that the Milky Way recently underwent a burst of star formation.
 
  • #4
http://cmarchesin.blogspot.com/

498884main_DF3_Fermi_bubble_art_labels.jpg


498881main_DF1_Fermi_all-sky_1-10_GeV.jpg
 
  • #6
In the future, how about the intensity of the ray , increase or decrease?
And the size ll be bigger then now?
Our solar system is in the local-fluff.
When our solar system ll go out there, the ray intensity ll be intense.
 
  • #7
Bugsy23 said:
Sorry if someone already posted this link but did anyone see this in the news?


http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/nov/HQ_10-295_FERMI.html

What are people's opinions on what this might be?

The main proposed source of the newly discovered bubbles seems to be an explosion from the center of the galaxy.
However, could the bubbles have come before the galaxy?
I remember a Scientific American article years ago (can't locate it) that argued that galaxies were formed from the disks where bubbles touched each other.
It would explain why galaxies are disk shaped and randomly oriented.
Perhaps the newly discovered bubbles are remnants of these older formation bubbles.
 

1. What is NASA's Fermi Telescope?

NASA's Fermi Telescope is a satellite-based observatory that studies high-energy gamma rays emitted from sources in the universe. It was launched in 2008 and is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

2. What is the significance of the discovery of a giant structure in our galaxy by NASA's Fermi Telescope?

The discovery of a giant structure in our galaxy by NASA's Fermi Telescope is significant because it provides new insights into the structure and evolution of our galaxy. This structure, known as the "Fermi Bubbles," extends for tens of thousands of light years above and below the galactic plane and is thought to be the result of massive energy bursts from the center of our galaxy.

3. How did NASA's Fermi Telescope discover this giant structure in our galaxy?

NASA's Fermi Telescope discovered the giant structure in our galaxy through its observations of high-energy gamma rays. The telescope was able to map the distribution of these gamma rays, which revealed the shape and extent of the Fermi Bubbles.

4. What can we learn from the discovery of this giant structure in our galaxy?

The discovery of the Fermi Bubbles by NASA's Fermi Telescope provides scientists with new information about the structure and dynamics of our galaxy. It also offers insights into the processes that drive the formation of such structures and the role they play in the evolution of our galaxy.

5. What impact does this discovery have on our understanding of the universe?

This discovery has a significant impact on our understanding of the universe, as it adds to our knowledge of the structure and behavior of galaxies. It also raises new questions about the processes that create and shape the structures we see in our universe.

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