Astronomy Today

Gamma-Ray Space Telescopes

How does a gamma-ray telescope work?

Gamma rays are the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation, and as a result they penetrate any kind of mirror material, even at a grazing incidence angle. Technologies incorporated in gamma-ray telescopes are thus very different from any other kinds of telescopes. They include plastic, gas, and crystal scintillation detectors; coded aperture masks and arrays; and spark chambers and silicon strip detectors.

