Explanation:
If gamma-rays were raindrops a flare from a
supermassive black hole might look like this.
Not so gently falling on the
Fermi
Gamma-ray Space Telescope from June 14 to June 16 the
gamma-ray
photons, with energies up to 50 billion electron volts,
originated in active galaxy 3C 279 some 5 billion light-years away.
Each gamma-ray "drop" is an expanding circle in the
timelapse visualization, the color and maximum size determined by the
gamma-ray's
measured energy.
Starting with a background drizzle, the sudden downpour
that then trails off is the intense, high energy flare.
The
creative and calming presentation of the historically bright
flare covers a 5 degree wide region of
the gamma-ray sky centered on 3C 279.
