Gamma-ray lines: A new window to the Universe

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Abstract
Gamma‐ray lines are the signature of nuclear processes taking place at many astrophysical sites. The observation of line emission in the celestial gamma‐ray spectrum, although a venture still in its infancy, is one of enormous potential, opening as it does a new and exciting window to the Universe. The potential for the extension of our knowledge of the Universe through celestial nuclear‐line spectroscopy may match—or even exceed—that already achieved by extensive studies of the two other fundamental types of line emission, atomic and molecular. Because of their greater penetration, nuclear lines can be observed from processes and regions from which other lines can not.