Vela 4 was actually two separate satellites consisting of nine tools. It was launched in April 1967. Credit: Energy.gov/wikimedia
Takeaway Keyway:
- Satellites Vela 3 and 4 initially designed to monitor the unexpectedly detected nuclear tests, the explosions of gamma rays (GRB) on July 2, 1967.
- A 1973 document of Los Alamos scientists, led by Ray Klebesadel, identified these satellite observations such as GRB.
- The origin of the GRB was initially uncertain, with speculations that go within our solar system to extragalactic sources. Further research, helped by the Bippax satellite, have definitively identified their extragalactic origins.
- The GRBs were determined to be exceptionally energetic events, releasing energy comparable to a supernova in seconds and exhibiting luminosity billions of times greater than the sun.
On July 2, 1967, the Satellites Vela 3 and 4 of the United States, originally launched to monitor compliance with the prohibition of nuclear test prohibition, detecting the weapons tests, accidentally powerful and powerful flashes of high energy or gamma spokes, from space. These events were subsequently identified as Gamma Raggi explosions (GRB) in a 1973 document of Los Alamos scientists, led by Ray Klebesadel. Sail observations were the first detection of these phenomena and, at the time, their origin was discussed – they came from within our sun system? Outside our galaxy? In the end, understanding evolved, in particular after the 1996 launch of the Italian Bappax-He handmage satellite, which could quickly identify the source of a GRB, allowing astronomers to observe its “glow” and measure its red movements. Subsequent research established that these explosions were extragalactic and extremely powerful, emitting energy comparable to a supernova in a few seconds and appearing billions of times brighter than our sun.
