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Physics

Inverse Compton Scattering

Quick fact

Inverse Compton scattering is responsible for the X-ray glow of galaxy clusters—the hot gas in clusters contains electrons moving near the speed of light that boost cosmic microwave background photons into the X-ray band.

Why this is interesting

You know that when light hits an electron, the light usually loses energy. But what if the electron is moving extremely fast? The opposite can happen: the light gains energy, turning into X-rays or gamma rays. How does that work?