NASA | NASA's Fermi Shows How Active Galaxies Can Be

The video discusses the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope's role in observing gamma rays, the most energetic form of light. It highlights blazars, active galaxies powered by supermassive black holes, and their dramatic flares. Fermi has identified about 1000 gamma ray blazars, tracking their activity and alerting other telescopes to new flare-ups. The telescope's continuous observation helps build a comprehensive picture of these powerful objects' daily lives. Excitingly, nearly a third of Fermi's sources remain unconnected to known gamma ray sources, hinting at potential new discoveries.

What potential discoveries are astronomers hoping to make with the Fermi telescope?

What challenges do astronomers face in identifying gamma ray sources?