Do We Use Astronomical Gamma-Ray Detectors on Earth's Surface

question 37

Multiple Choice

Do we use astronomical gamma-ray detectors on Earth's surface?

• A) No. The atmosphere blocks all gamma rays from space. Thus, we cannot use gamma-ray detectors on Earth's surface.
• B) Yes. Gamma rays have a narrow "window" through Earth's atmosphere. So we can detect enough of them to form images.
• C) Yes, but these detectors are actually pointed downward to detect rays coming through Earth. Only cosmic gamma rays have enough energy to penetrate Earth, which acts as a filter for gamma rays generated by terrestrial sources.
• D) Yes, but these detectors actually detect Cherenkov radiation produced by particles struck by gamma rays high in the atmosphere. Thus, the gamma-ray detection is very indirect.

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Definitions:

Sampling Distribution

The likelihood distribution associated with a particular statistic derived from a random sample.

Simple Random Samples

Samples drawn in such a way that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, ensuring that the sample represents the population well.

Proportion

A statistic that measures the fraction of the total number of items in a set that are of a particular category or characteristic.

Poisson Distribution

A probability distribution that describes the occurrence of rare events or the number of events in fixed intervals of time or space.