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• gamma-ray astronomy
  gamma-ray astronomy

  noun

  the branch of astronomy that deals with the study of celestial objects by means of the gamma rays that come from them.
• gamma ray astronomy
  gamma ray astronomy

  The study of astronomical objects by analyzing the gamma rays they emit. Because gamma rays are subject to atmospheric interference that makes them difficult to observe using ground-based telescopes, high-altitude balloons and orbiting observatories are often used to detect them. Most gamma rays in the universe are produced by events such as supernovas and black holes.

gamma-ray astronomy

American  

[gam-uh-rey] / ˈgæm əˌreɪ /

noun

1. the branch of astronomy that deals with the study of celestial objects by means of the gamma rays that come from them.

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gamma-ray astronomy British  

noun

1. the investigation of cosmic gamma rays, such as those from quasars

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gamma ray astronomy Scientific  

1. The study of astronomical objects by analyzing the gamma rays they emit. Because gamma rays are subject to atmospheric interference that makes them difficult to observe using ground-based telescopes, high-altitude balloons and orbiting observatories are often used to detect them. Most gamma rays in the universe are produced by events such as supernovas and black holes.

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Etymology

Origin of gamma-ray astronomy

First recorded in 1960–1965

Example Sentences

LHAASO, designed, built, and operated by Chinese scientists, has become a global leader in high-energy cosmic ray research due to its exceptional sensitivity in gamma-ray astronomy and precision cosmic ray measurements.

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 2025

The results did not come easy, especially because China was a latecomer to the field of gamma-ray astronomy.

From Scientific American • Jul. 8, 2021

Similarly, most researchers in the fields of infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray astronomy use energy per area per second rather than magnitudes to express the results of their measurements.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016