New Exotic Particle May Explain Milky Way Gamma-Ray Phenomenon

[Ichingcarpenter]

There is something strange happening in the core of the Milky Way. A space observatory measuring the energy and distribution of gamma-rays in the cosmos has made an unexpected (and perplexing) discovery.

It would seem there is a very high proportion of gamma-ray photons emanating from our galactic core with a very distinctive signature; they have a precise energy of 511 keV (8×10-14 Joules), and there’s a lot of them. So what could possibly be producing these 511 keV gamma-rays? It turns out, 511 keV is a magic number; it is the exact rest mass energy of a positron (the antimatter particle of the electron).

So this is fairly conclusive evidence that positrons are dying (i.e. annihilating) in vast numbers in our galactic nuclei. Still, this is of little help to astrophysicists as there is no known mechanism for producing such high numbers of annihilating positrons. Ideas have been put forward, but there’s a new possibility, involving some new particle physics and some lateral thinking…

>>>>>snip. I thought this was an interesting article

http://www.astroengine.com/?p=491

[Faygo Kid]

1. It's Bush's fault.

Positrons dying in vast numbers in our galactic nuclei?

Damned Republicans.

[opihimoimoi]

2. Grumpy Ole Perverts....love the photo...lol