Scientists have discovered the first gamma-ray pulsar

Orbital Observatory Enrico Fermi (formerly GLAST) has detected the first representative of a new class of space objects - the so-called gamma-ray pulsars. This was reported in a press release issued on the official website of the agency.

The site is located at a distance of about 4600 light years from Earth in the constellation Tsefeya. According to astronomers, pulsar was formed about 10 thousand years ago. It emits gamma radiation every 316.86 milliseconds.

Pulsars are one of the Final evolution of stars. Once inside the star ends "fuel", there is gravitational collapse - matter of the external layers under the influence of gravitational forces provalivaetsya at the center of the star. If weight was relatively small (less than 1,6-2,4 sun), then there ultradense object - a neutron star. If the mass was higher, it appears black hole.

Neutron star rapidly rotating around its own axis and uzkonapravlennoe emits electromagnetic radiation. Because of the rotation of beam enters the field of view of an observer at regular intervals, creating a ripple effect. The most commonly found in nature radiopulsary, that is periodically radio. Gamma-pulsar, in turn, emits a flow of gamma radiation.

The opening was made possible through the use of a tool Large Area Telescope, is installed on the orbital observatory Enrico Fermi. This tool scans the entire visible sky every three hours, registering the smallest power surges.