Fermi and Gamma Rays: A Cartoon Look

NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope detects gamma rays — the highest-energy form of light — often produced by objects like pulsars, the remnants of exploding stars and active galaxies powered by supermassive black holes. The satellite does not look for aliens, extraterrestrial life or anything of the sort. If aliens were to pass by the Fermi spacecraft, they would just slip by undetected. Unless, of course, that alien ship was powered by processes that left behind traces of gamma rays.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Gabby Garcia

Gamma rays are dangerous for living cells. Despite what comic books say, a high dose of them will not turn a human into a superhero. In reality, too many gamma rays would kill you.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Gabby Garcia

Gamma-ray bursts — energetic outbursts in galaxies extremely far away — are the universe’s most luminous explosions. In fact, they’re so far away, they pose no threat to Earth. Fermi sees gamma-ray bursts because the flash of gamma rays they release briefly outshines their entire home galaxies and can sometimes outshine everything in the gamma-ray sky. The gamma-rays we receive from these blasts are easily absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere, protecting life on Earth.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Gabby Garcia