High-energy astrophysics

High-energy astrophysics studies energetic radiation and particles from cosmic sources, especially X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays. It probes extreme environments where matter and fields reach temperatures, speeds, or energies unavailable on Earth.

Synchrotron radiation: Electromagnetic radiation emitted by charged particles accelerated across magnetic fields at relativistic speeds. Its characteristic spectrum identifies relativistic electrons and magnetic fields in cosmic sources.
X-ray astronomy: The study of celestial objects through X-ray observations. X-rays trace hot gas, accretion flows, and compact remnants in energetic systems.
Electromagnetic spectrum: The complete range of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by frequency, wavelength, or photon energy. X-rays and gamma rays occupy its most energetic bands.
Supernova remnant: The expanding debris and shocked surroundings left by a stellar explosion. Its shocks can accelerate cosmic rays and emit X-rays and gamma rays.
Inverse Compton scattering: A process in which energetic charged particles transfer energy to lower-energy photons through scattering. It can boost starlight or microwave photons into X-rays and gamma rays.
Gamma-ray astronomy: The study of cosmic sources using photons with energies above those of X-rays. Gamma rays reveal particle acceleration and extreme interactions in distant sources.
Cosmic ray: A high-energy particle arriving at Earth from space, usually a proton or atomic nucleus. Cosmic rays are energetic messengers distinct from the photons studied in astronomy.
Pulsar wind nebula: A nebula powered by relativistic particles and magnetic fields from a rapidly rotating neutron star. It provides a nearby laboratory for particle acceleration and nonthermal radiation.
Accretion disk: A rotating flow of gas and dust spiraling into a massive central object. Friction and magnetic stresses in hot disks around compact objects generate intense high-energy emission.
Cosmic-ray astronomy: The study of high-energy charged particles arriving from space and their astrophysical origins. Cosmic rays provide a particle counterpart to observations of energetic photons.

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UhuruNarrower topic: Uhuru's discoveries helped make space-based X-ray surveys central to this field.