Supernova's Gamma Rays and Comets

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the emission of gamma rays from supernovae and the mechanics of comet movement. Participants explore the nature of gamma rays, their detection, and the forces involved in the motion of comets, touching on both theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that gamma rays from supernovae do reach Earth, but the intensity diminishes over vast distances, making them detectable only with specialized instruments.
  • There is uncertainty about the amount of gamma rays produced by supernovae, with some suggesting that not all supernovae emit large quantities of gamma rays.
  • One participant mentions that the original satellites designed to detect gamma rays were intended for monitoring nuclear explosions.
  • Regarding comets, several participants assert that they do not require propulsion to move through space, as they follow orbits around the Sun.
  • Questions arise about what initiates the movement of comets and whether an initial force is necessary for their formation.
  • Participants discuss the concept of energy levels in gamma rays, with analogies to light intensity over distance to illustrate how energy diminishes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the emission of gamma rays from supernovae and the necessity of forces for comet movement. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of gamma ray intensity and the initiation of comet motion.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about gamma ray emissions and the mechanics of comet formation, as well as the dependence on definitions of energy and force in space.

crays
Messages
160
Reaction score
0
Hi guys, me again, with two questions. Just saw a documentation about supernova, when supernova happens, a huge amount of gamma ray is emitted since it is vacuum in space, why wouldn't the gamma ray hit us? Even if its far and takes a few thousand years for it to reach us, it would eventually reach us right?

About comets, i know it is composed of ice, but what actually propel it? The comets need a force to act on it so that it could move :o?

Thanks in advance and sorry for my poor english.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Yes we get gamma rays from Supernovae. There is a whole field called Gamma Ray Astronomy that deals with detecting gamma radiation from space.

Comets, just like any other body in the Solar system travel in orbits around the Sun, they don't need propulsion any more than the Earth does.
 
crays said:
Hi guys, me again, with two questions. Just saw a documentation about supernova, when supernova happens, a huge amount of gamma ray is emitted since it is vacuum in space, why wouldn't the gamma ray hit us?

Most supernova don't produce particularly large amounts of gamma rays. Apparently, some of them do, for reasons which we don't completely understand. Also space is big so by the time the gamma rays get to earth, they are weak enough so that you only see them with special satellites and the atmosphere blocks them out.

Also, the satellites that originally found gamma ray sources from space were designed to look for gamma bursts from earth, to detect nuclear explosions and make sure that no one was cheating on arms control treaties.

About comets, i know it is composed of ice, but what actually propel it? The comets need a force to act on it so that it could move :o?

Nope. In space, there is no friction and things keep moving unless something stops it.
 
Thanks for the reply.
But the gamma ray is a ray, the energy level of the gamma ray would decreases?

About the comets, what initiate it? I mean when it started to form, it doesn't have a force that acts on it right?
 
crays said:
But the gamma ray is a ray, the energy level of the gamma ray would decreases?

Gamma rays are high energy radiation.

About the comets, what initiate it? I mean when it started to form, it doesn't have a force that acts on it right?

The natural state of things in space is for things to move. There's no need to have any sort of initial force.
 
crays said:
But the gamma ray is a ray, the energy level of the gamma ray would decreases?
Imagine you have a very bright light. So bright that even standing one hundred feet away it is painful to look at. Now go a mile away and look at the light. Ten miles. One hundred miles.
Do you get the point?
 
crays said:
Thanks for the reply.
But the gamma ray is a ray, the energy level of the gamma ray would decreases?

About the comets, what initiate it? I mean when it started to form, it doesn't have a force that acts on it right?

Gamma rays as already been mentioned are high energy radiation. Here's a little image to help you understand what radiation is and where gamma rays fit in:

http://molyit.com/TechImages/allimg/080425/1814522.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
7K
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
14K