Betting On The Most Distant Gamma Ray Burst Ever Seen: Extreme Distance Determined With Gemini Observatory Images

Gemini Observatory color composite image of the afterglow of GRB 090429B - a candidate for the most distant object in the universe. This "izH" image has been constructed from three images taken at the Gemini Observatory North telescope through different optical and infrared filters (the infrared images were obtained using the Gemini Near-Infrared Imager, NIRI, optical, non-detection data from the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph, GMOS). The red color results from the absence of all optical light, which has been absorbed by hydrogen gas in the distant universe. Without that absorption, the afterglow color would be bluer than any of the galaxies and stars seen in this field of view. The position of the afterglow is indicated.

Credit:

Gemini Observatory/AURA/Andrew Levan (University of Warwick, UK)

About the Image

Id:gemini1106a
Type:Observation
Release date:May 25, 2011, 8 p.m.
Related releases:gemini1106
Size:826 x 760 px

About the Object

Name:GRB 090429B
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEGLarge JPEG
128.6 KB
Screensize JPEGScreensize JPEG
112.1 KB

Zoomable


Wallpapers

1024x7681024x768
137.0 KB
1280x10241280x1024
190.1 KB
1600x12001600x1200
237.4 KB
1920x12001920x1200
257.1 KB
2048x15362048x1536
1.5 MB

Colors & filters

BandTele-scope
Gemini North
GMOS-N
Gemini North
NIRI