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Electron-gun simulations explain the mechanisms of high-energy cosmic rays

Chinese physicists develop mathematical equations and computer simulations to model photodetachment of negative ions via photons, simulating cosmic rays' collisions with planets. The speed of a moving surface significantly affects the chances of photodetachment, with Chloride (Cl-) ions being less prone than hydrogen (H-) ions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 6, 2019

The cosmic ray gun duel of Eta Carinae

Astronomers using NASA's NuSTAR satellite have revealed that binary star system Eta Carinae is capable of creating cosmic rays. The team observed the system and found evidence of a collision between the two stars' stellar winds, which forms shock waves and accelerates particles to nearly the speed of light.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 29, 2018

IceCube neutrinos point to long-sought cosmic ray accelerator

The discovery provides evidence for a known blazar as a source of high-energy neutrinos detected by the National Science Foundation-supported IceCube observatory. The observations resolve a century-old mystery about what creates and launches cosmic rays, which are highly energetic particles that continuously rain down on Earth from space.

Highest-energy cosmic rays have extragalactic origin

Research detects 30,000 high-energy particles with energies a million times greater than the LHC, finding that flux from certain regions of the sky is approximately 6% higher than uniform, indicating an extragalactic origin. The Pierre Auger Observatory detects these particles and analyzes their arrival directions.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateSep 22, 2017

From galaxies far far away!

The Pierre Auger Collaboration reports that cosmic rays with energies a million times greater than the protons accelerated in the Large Hadron Collider come from much further away. The study discovered an anisotropy in the arrival directions of over 30,000 cosmic particles, indicating an extragalactic origin.

Mars-bound astronauts face chronic dementia risk from galactic cosmic ray exposure

A new study by UCI researchers found that prolonged spaceflight exposure to galactic cosmic rays can cause significant long-term brain damage in rodents, leading to cognitive impairments and dementia. The study raises concerns about the potential central nervous system complications astronauts may face during extended Mars missions.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2016