ATOMIC & NUCLEAR PHYSICS PARTICLE PHYSICS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site synchrotron radiation Image: Jon Lomberg/Gemini Observatory Electromagnetic radiation emitted by electrons that are spiralling along, and therefore being constantly accelerated, in a magnetic field at a rate great enough for relativistic effects to be important. Predicted long ago, this radiation was first encountered in a particle accelerator called the synchrotron. Much of the radiation observed by radio astronomers originates in this fashion. Synchrotron radiation from cosmic sources has a distinctive spectrum, or distribution of photons with energy. The radiation falls off with energy less rapidly than does the spectrum of radiation from a hot gas. When synchrotron radiation is observed in supernova remnants, cosmic jets, or other sources, it reveals information about the high-energy electrons and magnetic fields that are present. Related categories    • ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS    • PARTICLE PHYSICS    • RADIO ASTRONOMY AND COMMUNICATIONS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP