Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

General Dynamics C4 Systems - Artist Concept of Fermi The Universe is home to numerous exotic and beautiful phenomena, some of which can generate almost inconceivable amounts of energy. Supermassive black holes, merging neutron stars, streams of hot gas moving close to the speed of light ... these are but a few of the marvels that generate gamma-ray radiation, the most energetic form of radiation, billions of times more energetic than the type of light visible to our eyes. What is happening to produce this much energy? What happens to the surrounding environment near these phenomena? How will studying these energetic objects add to our understanding of the very nature of the Universe and how it behaves?

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, formerly GLAST, is opening this high-energy world to exploration and helping us answer these questions. With Fermi, astronomers at long last have a superior tool to study how black holes, notorious for pulling matter in, can accelerate jets of gas outward at fantastic speeds. Physicists are able to study subatomic particles at energies far greater than those seen in ground-based particle accelerators. And cosmologists are gaining valuable information about the birth and early evolution of the Universe.

For this unique endeavor, one that brings together the astrophysics and particle physics communities, NASA has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Energy and institutions in France, Germany, Japan, Italy and Sweden. General Dynamics was chosen to build the spacecraft. Fermi was launched June 11, 2008 at 12:05 pm EDT.

Galaxy's Gamma-Ray Flares Erupted Far From its Black Hole
Prior to its strong outbursts in 2011, blazar 4C +71.07 was a weak source for Fermi's LAT. These images centered on 4C +71.07 show the rate at which the LAT detected gamma rays with energies above 100 million electron volts; lighter colors equal higher rates. The image at left covers 2.5 years, from the start of Fermi's mission to 2011. The image at right shows 10 weeks of activity in late 2011, when 4C +71.07 produced its strongest outburst. A more frequently active blazar, S5 0716+71, appears in both images.
Credit: NASA/DOE/Fermi LAT Collaboration
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Latest News

February 6, 2013

2013 Fermi Summer School

The Fermi project is happy to announce the opening of registration for the 2013 Fermi Summer School, which will run from May 28 through June 7 2013. In addition to comprehensive coverage of gamma-ray astrophysics topics, this year's program will include a special emphasis on searches for dark matter and new physics.
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February 6, 2013

Alternative Observing Strategies

The Fermi project and the Fermi Users Group are considering the possible future implementation of alternative observing strategies that might more effectively facilitate specific science objectives such a desire for increased sensitivity to flaring sources in the northern hemisphere, or monitoring sources near the galactic center. These are only a few among many possibilities and community input is sought. Please refer to the Alternative Observing Strategies web page for more information.

Jan 31, 2013

FSSC Flare Database

The Fermi Science Support center is pleased to announce a new resource which is a compilation of flares derived from LAT aperture photometry light curves. A flare-search algorithm searches for four standard deviation increases in the count rate in all of the 2FGL sources whenever the light curves are updated (nominally on a one-week timescale). Any sources found to be in a flaring state will be shown on a special page. Please be advised that of the caveats associated with the aperture photometry analysis also pertain to the flaring sources analysis.
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