The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002

 

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002
 

In the centre of our galaxy lies an X-ray source, the intensity of which can fluctuate wildly by the minute. Is this radiation emitted from matter that is falling into a super-massive black hole?

The galaxy NGC 5128 is located 11 million light years from earth. What is the source of the 10,000 light-year-long jet that emanates from the centre of the galaxy?

A supernova explosion observed in 1054 AD created a neutron star in the Crab nebula. It has a diameter of only 20-30 km, has about the same mass as the sun and rotates 30 times per second! Hot gas is pulled towards the neutron star and emits X-rays.

 

Photo: NASA/CXC/SAO

The remnants of the supernova that Tycho Brahe observed in 1572 – still a scorching 10 million °C hot.

Eta Carinae is a massive and unstable star with strong stellar winds. Perhaps a future supernova?

 

Contents:
| Introduction | Neutrino Astronomy | Elusive particles captured in cleaning fluid | Kamiokande captured neutrinos in water | What is a supernova? | What makes the sun shine? | A new view of the universe | X-ray Astronomy | How does an X-ray telescope work? | A violent universe | What happens next? | Further reading | Credits |

Addition to the Nobel Poster: Questions and Answers related to the Prize 
  Web Adapted Version of the Nobel Poster from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

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MLA style: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2002. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach 2025. Mon. 8 Dec 2025. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2002/9624-the-nobel-prize-in-physics-2002-2002-3/>

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