INTEGRAL, gamma ray monitor of the universe

2002/10/02 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Astronautika

On October 17, the Integral Satellite Space starts. Inside it carries the most advanced gamma ray telescope ever built and has the obligation to analyze gamma rays and their sources.

Gamma rays are the most energetic known in space. They occur as a result of violent episodes in the Universe, for example, a large part of the energy released by exploiting the stars is released as gamma rays. Neutron stars and black holes also release energy and are generally released as gamma rays.

The new satellite will perform a thorough analysis of all gamma ray sources. For this purpose, it will have two machines called IBIS and SPI. The first is a gamma ray camera and the second is a spectrometer that serves to measure the energy of the gamma rays that arrive. In addition, the satellite will have a ‘capture’ camera to complete the information.

The satellite will turn in elliptical orbit around the Earth, at a distance of between 9,000 and 153,000 kilometers from the Earth's surface. With the elliptical orbit, the satellite is made out of the radiation belt of the Earth. The radiation belt does not allow gamma rays to be perceived well and, thanks to its elliptical orbit, 90% of the route is carried out outside it.