Axions produced in supernova transform into gamma rays (IMAGE)

University of California - Berkeley

Axions produced in supernova transform into gamma rays

Caption

After a hot, compact neutron star forms from the collapsed iron core of a massive star, axions should be produced in immense quantities for about 10 seconds. Some of these axions (a, red dotted line) will be converted into gamma rays in the intense magnetic field of the star. A fleet of gamma-ray telescopes around Earth could detect these gamma rays, confirming the existence of axions and pinpointing the mass.

Credit

Benjamin Safdi, UC Berkeley

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