The Telescopes That Found the Supercharged Amaterasu Particle!
Hey, curious minds! Today, we’re diving into the awesome world of cosmic rays and the Telescope Array, a group of scientists who are like space detectives! They’ve found something super cool, and we’re going to unravel the mysteries together.
The Oh-My-God Particle Adventure
Back in 1991, scientists found a super powerful cosmic ray, the Oh-My-God particle, using the Fly’s Eye experiment. It had crazy energy that shocked everyone! It was like a superhero particle from another galaxy, way beyond what we thought possible.
Since then, the Telescope Array, led by the University of Utah and the University of Tokyo, has been looking for more of these cosmic wonders. They’ve found over 30 super-high-energy cosmic rays, but none as mighty as the Oh-My-God particle. The question is, where do these powerful particles come from, and how do they travel so far?
The Telescope Array Mission
Fast forward to May 27, 2021, the Telescope Array detected another super-strong cosmic ray, the second-highest ever! They named it the Amaterasu particle, inspired by a sun goddess from Japanese stories. This particle is like a cosmic superhero that could crush a brick with its energy – that’s some serious power!
The Telescope Array is like a giant space radar, with 507 detectors spread over a huge area in Utah. These detectors catch cosmic rays, especially the super-energetic ones, and help scientists understand where they come from and what they can teach us about space.
Cosmic Ray Showers and Zigzagging Adventures
Now, let’s talk about cosmic rays. Imagine them as leftover bits from big space explosions, zooming through the universe like shooting stars. When they hit Earth’s atmosphere, they create a magical shower of particles. The Telescope Array helps us study this shower and learn more about these amazing cosmic rays.
But there’s a twist – these cosmic rays are like pinballs in a cosmic pinball machine! They zigzag because of magnetic fields and even bounce off the cosmic microwave background. It’s like a space game that’s tricky to figure out.
Beyond Human-Made Limits
The Oh-My-God and Amaterasu particles are like space athletes with unbelievable energy! They easily break through the limits we thought existed for cosmic rays. Scientists measure their energy in units like dropping a brick from your waist – that’s how powerful they are!
Telescope Array’s Big Plans
The Telescope Array isn’t stopping here; it’s getting an upgrade! More detectors will cover a Rhode Island-sized area, helping scientists capture even more cosmic events. It’s like expanding our cosmic detective squad to explore the secrets of the universe.
Scientists measure the energy of cosmic rays in unique units. If you had to come up with a creative unit of measurement for cosmic energy, what would it be, and how would you explain it to someone who’s new to the concept of cosmic rays?
Comment your take
So, space explorers, what do you think about these incredible cosmic rays? Do you have questions or thoughts about the Telescope Array’s discoveries? The universe is full of mysteries, and every question you have can lead to new discoveries!
