How a super energetic particle from outer space could help physics
- January 11, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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How a super energetic particle from outer space could help physics
Subject: IR
Section: International Conventions
Context:
- A cosmic ray that has been dubbed ‘Amaterasu’ appears to have reached the earth from an empty part of the universe.
More About News
- In May 2021, Japanese scientist Toshihiro Fujii discovered a remarkably high-energy cosmic-ray event, which he named ‘Amaterasu,’ after the Japanese sun goddess.
- This cosmic ray, Amaterasu, is the second-highest-energy cosmic ray ever detected and was found by analyzing data collected between May 2008 and November 2021 by the Telescope Array Project in the U.S.
- Cosmic rays are energetic particles from space, including protons and alpha particles, and understanding them is crucial as they influence life on Earth.
- The energy of Amaterasu was measured at an astonishing 240 exaelectron-volt (EeV), making it about 40 million times more energetic than particles accelerated in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
- Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) like Amaterasu, with energies greater than 1 EeV, are of particular interest. Cosmic microwave background radiation limits their propagation beyond certain distances in space.
- Amaterasu’s origin remains a mystery as it appears to come from an empty part of the universe, defying existing astronomical explanations.
- This discovery challenges the Standard Model of particle physics and suggests the possibility of unknown phenomena.
- In 1991, another high-energy cosmic ray, known as the “Oh My God” particle, with an energy of 320 EeV, was detected, and it remains the most energetic cosmic ray ever recorded.