News Earth

Sky High: Gamma-ray bursts are common in Earth’s upper atmosphere

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Enigmatic bursts of high-energy gamma rays produced in Earth’s atmosphere are surprisingly strong and frequent, satellite data suggest.

STARING AT THE SUN. A satellite designed to observe solar flares also detects high-energy photons produced by exotic phenomena in Earth’s atmosphere. Artist’s depiction shows the satellite orbiting Earth.