NASA's Fermi Satellite Celebrates 10 Years of Discoveries

The Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope, launched in 2008, has significantly advanced our understanding of the universe. It has mapped the sky in gamma rays and made transformative discoveries, including the first detection of light and gravitational waves from the same source, confirming Einstein's theory of light speed consistency, and identifying cosmic structures like the Milky Way bubbles. Fermi has also studied cosmic rays from supernovae and observed terrestrial gamma ray flashes linked to lightning. These findings have reshaped our view of the cosmos.

What significant event did Fermi observe in 2017 that involved both light and gravitational waves?

• A supernova explosion

• A gamma ray burst from merging neutron stars

• A solar flare

• A black hole collision

What did Fermi confirm about the speed of light in 2009?

• It is faster than gravitational waves

• It travels at the same speed regardless of energy

• It varies with energy

• It slows down near black holes

What are the large structures Fermi discovered above and below the Milky Way?

• Dark matter clouds

• Galactic bubbles

• Asteroid belts

• Nebulae

How did Fermi contribute to our understanding of cosmic rays?

• By linking them to solar activity

• By proving they travel faster than light

• By showing they are accelerated by supernova blast waves

• By detecting their origin in black holes

What natural phenomenon on Earth is associated with terrestrial gamma ray flashes detected by Fermi?

• Tsunamis

• Earthquakes

• Volcanic eruptions

• Lightning and thunderstorms