Articles tagged with Cosmic Rays
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NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has traveled beyond the influence of the Sun and exited the heliosphere, a region dominated by the Sun's wind. Anomalous cosmic rays dropped to less than 1% of previous amounts while galactic cosmic rays spiked to levels not seen since launch.
The NASA grant will support the U.S. institutions in building lasers and monitoring equipment for calibrating the telescope's optics from around the globe. The Extreme Universe Space Observatory aims to discover the sources of ultra high-energy cosmic rays by observing their traces in the atmosphere.
A new study offers conclusive evidence that cosmic ray protons within our galaxy are accelerated in the shock waves produced by supernovae. Researchers detected the spectral cutoff in the gamma ray spectrum due to the decay of neutral pions, connecting gamma rays to accelerated protons.
Scientists have found conclusive proof that supernova remnants accelerate cosmic rays to incredible speeds. The discovery was made using four years of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and provides a key finding in the search for the sources of high-energy cosmic rays.
A team of astronomers used the VIMOS instrument on the VLT to study a one-thousand-year-old supernova remnant. They found evidence of rapidly moving protons in the gas, which could be the necessary seed particles for cosmic rays to form.
A new study confirms that cosmic rays are born in the violent aftermath of supernovas, exploding stars throughout the galaxy. Protons make up 90% of these particles, which are accelerated by shock waves and then decay into gamma-ray photons with distinctive signatures.
Researchers from Durham University and industry partners are developing a new method to monitor carbon storage using muons from cosmic rays. The technology has the potential to reduce costs by hundreds of millions of pounds per annum.
Physicists create graphene mini-labs to study fast-moving electrons and their relativistic behavior. The experiments mimic the dynamics of cosmic rays, despite traveling at a fraction of the speed of light.
The European Space Agency (ESA) funded a study to test the shielding properties of Moon and Mars regolith against cosmic radiation. The GSI facility in Germany analyzed how well the stone slabs protect against radiation and produced neutrons when radiated.
NASA scientist Maxim Markevitch is investigating a novel technique to build low-cost X-ray mirrors using plastic tape rolled like Scotch tape. The goal is to capture high-energy photons and study cosmic rays, which could reveal more about the birth and evolution of the cosmos.
A new study suggests that Mars Curiosity rover may be able to find evidence of ancient life on Mars by probing optimal depths and locations for organic molecules. The research indicates that the rover's drilling range could detect simple carbon-containing molecules within 10 cm beneath the surface.
Space scientists have quantified galactic cosmic ray bombardment on the moon's surface, causing chemical changes in water ice and regolith. This radiation process creates complex organic molecules and darkens lunar soil, providing insight into the geologic history of the moon.
A recent potent follow-up solar flare delivered a powerful radiation punch to Earth's magnetic field due to existing energetic particles and a magnetic connection. This highlights the potential for space weather events to disrupt daily life and pose risks to astronauts, despite not being in direct path.
Scientists use NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope to detect high-energy gamma rays from the remnant of Tycho's supernova. This detection supports the notion that supernova remnants can accelerate cosmic rays, providing clues to their origins.
The study reveals that Cygnus X has formed a 'cocoon' of trapped cosmic rays, which were accelerated by the intense stellar winds and shockwaves. This finding provides a unique glimpse into the early life of cosmic rays, long before they diffuse into the galaxy.
The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on NASA's Curiosity rover measures the Martian surface radiation environment, shedding light on habitability and planning for future human missions. RAD's data will help scientists assess conditions favorable for life and determine required radiation shielding.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory detected radioactive materials from Fukushima in the US, providing insight into the disaster's magnitude. The findings demonstrate huge advancements in nuclear monitoring technology.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has successfully completed its one-year exploration mission, providing unprecedented detail of the moon's surface and subsurface. The orbiter's instruments have captured over 192 terabytes of data, including the most precise topographic maps to date of the moon's complex landscape.
A study found that cosmic radiation accelerates atherosclerosis development in mice, worsening existing lesions. This discovery could inform treatment and prevention strategies for long-duration space missions.
A pattern of X-ray 'stripes' in the Tycho supernova remnant supports a theory on how magnetic fields amplify near expanding shock waves, accelerating particles to extreme energies. The discovery may provide direct evidence for the production of cosmic rays.
Researchers from 38 institutions collaborate to study neutrinos in the Daya Bay project. The team aims to understand how neutrinos transition between types and shed light on the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.
Researchers at IceCube observatory discover unusual pattern in cosmic ray data, shedding new light on interstellar magnetic fields and possible sources of high-energy cosmic rays. The finding provides a significant boost to physics and astronomy studies, ruling out some proposed theories about the source of Northern Hemisphere anisotropy.
A new model proposes that the cosmic ray knee is caused by interactions between nuclei and photons at acceleration sources, explaining both the knee and recent electron/positron excesses. The model suggests a sharp break in the CR spectra at the knee energy due to rapid energy loss.
New images from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope reveal the sources of cosmic rays, which consist mainly of protons moving at nearly the speed of light. The telescope mapped billion-electron-volt gamma-rays from middle-aged and young supernova remnants, providing insights into the origins of these energetic particles.
LRO's instruments are providing groundbreaking data on the moon's geology, temperature, and radiation. The camera has mapped Apollo landing sites with high resolution, while the Diviner instrument discovered polar craters that can be brutally cold, trapping compounds like water and organic molecules.
Washington University physicists are tracking down the source of cosmic rays using imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The correlation between high cosmic-ray density and supernova rate in a starburst galaxy provides powerful evidence for supernova acceleration, long suspected to be the origin of these particles.
Researchers have detected gamma rays of a trillion electron volts coming from the M 82 galaxy, providing evidence for a strong connection between galaxies with high star formation and the production of cosmic rays. The discovery uses the VERITAS array of four telescopes at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona.
The VERITAS telescope array has found new evidence for cosmic rays in the Cigar Galaxy, supporting the theory that supernovae and stellar winds are the dominant accelerators. The discovery confirms that starburst galaxies contain more cosmic rays than normal galaxies.
Research papers published in Geophysical Research Letters highlight a surge in Arctic ozone-destroying gas levels and the discovery of lunar subsurface features. Climate models are also being revised to account for ozone variations, improving our understanding of atmospheric interactions.
Researchers have detected a surge in galactic cosmic rays, reaching a Space Age high, attributed to the solar minimum. The increase poses a risk for astronauts and satellite systems, requiring re-evaluation of radiation shielding.
The NRL's Large Area Telescope has made significant discoveries about cosmic rays and high-energy particles. The telescope detected an excess of electrons striking its surface, leading scientists to suggest that a nearby pulsar could be the source sending these particles towards Earth.
Researchers at NC State University used a mathematical model to get a clearer picture of the galaxy's youngest supernova remnant. The data provides evidence that the remnant is from a type Ia supernova, raising questions about the generation of cosmic ray particles and magnetic field effects.
Astrophysicists at Washington University in St. Louis will design and build Super-TIGER to measure the abundances of ultra-heavy galactic cosmic ray nuclei. The instrument aims to better understand the mechanism by which elements are accelerated in interstellar dust grains.
A team of scientists has created a movie tracking the expansion and changes of Cassiopeia A over time, revealing slower-than-expected energy loss. The visualization also shows high-velocity plumes from the explosion, challenging current theoretical models.
The Milagro collaboration has discovered two nearby regions with an unexpected excess of cosmic rays, suggesting the presence of high-energy particle acceleration near Earth. This finding is the second recent study indicating a source of galactic cosmic rays relatively close to our planet.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have identified two distinct regions with an excess of cosmic rays, challenging nearly a century-old understanding of galactic magnetic fields. The Milagro observatory recorded over 200 billion cosmic-ray collisions, revealing statistically significant peaks in specific regions of the sky.
The CLOUD experiment aims to understand the role of cosmic rays in cloud formation and climate change. By simulating cosmic ray intensity, researchers plan to uncover details of aerosol and cloud formation mechanisms.
Scientists have made direct measurements of the solar wind termination shock using Voyager 2 data, which could help understand how cosmic rays are produced. The observations reveal intense plasma wave turbulence and unexpected effects, sparking revisions to theories.
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters finds no correlation between cosmic rays and cloud cover, contradicting a 2007 TV program that suggested global warming is caused by a decrease in cosmic rays. The researchers from Lancaster and Durham Universities analyzed data and found no reliable connection between the two.
Scientists confirm 1966 prediction that most energetic particles in the universe rarely reach Earth at full strength due to cosmic microwave background radiation. The GZK cutoff is a suppression of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, suggesting they come from galaxies beyond 150 million light years away.
Scientists propose using ancient light absorbed by neutral hydrogen atoms to test string theory predictions. A gigantic array of radio telescopes would be needed to make the measurements.
A team of astronomers discovered that a white dwarf, AE Aquarii, emits high-energy X-rays as it whirls around on its axis, similar to the Crab Nebula's pulsar. This behavior indicates that white dwarfs can accelerate charged particles to near-light speed, potentially contributing to cosmic rays.
The Pierre Auger Collaboration has found an anisotropy in cosmic ray arrival directions correlated with galaxies containing active galactic nuclei. This discovery suggests that AGN are the source of the most energetic particles reaching Earth.
Researchers discovered that a special type of stem cell in the brain is selectively killed by space radiation, raising concerns about cognitive and emotional risks for astronauts. The study's findings suggest that identifying medications or physical shielding to protect these cells will be crucial for future human space missions.
Researchers found that a special type of stem cell in the brain is selectively killed by space radiation, raising concerns about cognitive and emotional risks. The study's findings suggest that shielding or medications may be necessary to protect astronauts from health risks caused by space radiation.
Researchers aim to develop an instrument that can reveal crucial data about the nature and origin of cosmic rays. Cerenkov radiation, emitted when particles travel faster than light through the atmosphere, holds key to understanding these enigmatic particles.
Researchers from the University of Granada and the Pierre Auger Collaboration have found a link between active galactic nuclei and high-energy cosmic rays. The study suggests that these galaxy centers are responsible for producing the most energetic particles in the Universe.
A team of scientists has identified astrophysical objects with charged particles reaching Earth at high energies. The Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina recorded the particles, which carry as much energy as a bullet or a tennis ball off Roger Federer's racket.
Scientists have established a correlation between high-energy cosmic rays and distant active galactic nuclei (AGNs), suggesting massive black holes in the center of galaxies as a possible source. The Pierre Auger Observatory detected 28 cosmic rays with energies greater than 60 EeV, most of which originated from locations near known AGNs.
A study by scientists has found that the most energetic particles in the universe – ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays – are correlated with the centers of active galaxies hosting violent black holes. The sources are thought to be within 326 million light years, our local neighborhood in cosmic terms.
The Pierre Auger Observatory has found that the sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays are linked to nearby galaxies with active nuclei in their centers. This discovery provides new insights into the origin and acceleration of these particles.
Scientists from 17 countries identify Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) as the most likely source of the highest-energy cosmic rays using data-gathering equipment designed at Michigan Tech. The findings, reported in Science journal, bring researchers closer to understanding the origin of ultra-high energy particles.
The Pierre Auger Observatory has found that active galactic nuclei, powered by super-massive black holes, are the most likely source of the highest-energy cosmic rays. The sources of these particles are not distributed uniformly across the sky, but rather linked to nearby galaxies with active nuclei.
Recent observations from NASA and Japanese X-ray observatories have helped clarify the origin of cosmic rays. The study, published in Nature, suggests that magnetic fields in supernova remnants are stronger than previously thought, enabling them to accelerate charged particles to enormous energies.
A team of physicists proposes a new mechanism to produce cosmic gamma rays from starlight, challenging existing theories. The new mechanism involves the interaction of fast-moving nuclei with ultraviolet light, producing cosmic gamma rays without requiring extreme electromagnetic fields.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison devise approach to 'see' extra dimensions by deciphering cosmic energy released in the universe's violent birth. The method provides evidence for testing string theory's existence and predicts specific shapes for the six hidden dimensions.
Astronomers have mapped the rate of acceleration of cosmic ray electrons in a supernova remnant, showing close to maximum theoretical rates. The discovery provides evidence that supernova remnants are key sites for energizing charged particles.
Research reveals a link between cosmic rays and fluctuations in Earth's biosphere productivity, with star formation rates influencing cloud cover and climate. Cosmic radiation affected biological productivity through its influence on cloud formation, leading to higher productivity during cold periods.
Scientists are researching ways to reduce radiation-induced brain damage for Mars missions, which could lead to new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease. The research project is part of a $14-million study funded by NASA to determine the human brain's maximum safe cosmic radiation dose.
Dr. Catherine Cesarsky has been elected as the new President of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for a three-year term, becoming the first woman to receive this distinction. She brings extensive experience in research and leadership, having previously served as ESO Director General.