New High-Intensity Cosmic Explosion

Synopsis

The Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope detects a new type of cosmic explosion originating from a white dwarf star. This ultra high-intensity explosion challenges previous beliefs that novae lack the energy for such high-energy emissions. In March, Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT) captures gamma rays, the most energetic form of light, from the nova for a duration of 15 days. Scientists are astonished by this finding, as it overturns long-standing theories about the power of these explosions.