Title: Breakthrough Study Sheds Light on Origins of Cosmic Rays in Our Galaxy
Subtitle: Researchers gain new insight into the propagation, interaction processes, and origin of the highest energy cosmic rays
Date: [Insert Date]
Scientists from the University of Tokyo’s Institute for Cosmic Ray Research in Japan have made a groundbreaking discovery that could provide valuable insight into the origins of cosmic rays in our galaxy. The findings, according to Kazumasa Kawata, a researcher involved in the study, have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of these mysterious, high-energy particles from outer space.
Ever since the Austrian physicist Victor Hess discovered cosmic rays in 1912, scientists have been tirelessly studying these powerful particles. Researchers have built detectors both in space and on the ground to hunt for these elusive particles. However, until now, the true origin of cosmic rays has remained a mystery.
The highest energy cosmic rays ever detected carry an astonishing quintillion electron volts of energy, equivalent to the kinetic energy of a baseball traveling at 100 miles per hour. This level of energy is millions of times more intense than the particles created in Earth’s largest particle collider.
One of the main challenges in studying cosmic rays is their electrically charged nature, which causes them to be deflected by magnetic fields as they travel through space. As a result, important information about their birthplace is lost by the time they reach Earth.
Nevertheless, if cosmic rays collide with gas clouds in their path, they generate electrically neutral gamma ray particles that are not influenced by magnetic fields. By studying the number, distribution, and energy spectrum of these gamma rays, scientists can gain valuable insights into the origins of cosmic radiation.
To shed light on this cosmic puzzle, the researchers used a space telescope called the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) to study the Milky Way’s gamma-ray haze. LHAASO, completed in 2021, is the world’s largest and most sensitive observatory for detecting gamma rays and cosmic rays at ultra-high energies.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that the number of diffuse gamma rays measured by LHAASO was two to three times higher than predicted by cosmic-ray collisions with interstellar gas. Additionally, the energy spectrum of the gamma emissions could be described by a single power law, contrary to a popular theory that proposed cosmic rays would be trapped by the galaxy’s magnetic fields for an extended period.
Kawata emphasized the importance of corroborating these findings with other major cosmic ray detectors worldwide, such as the US-led IceCube collaboration, which studies cosmic neutrinos. By combining different pieces of the puzzle, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of the mysterious origins of cosmic radiation.
In conclusion, the research conducted by the University of Tokyo’s Institute for Cosmic Ray Research has provided a significant leap forward in unraveling the enigma of cosmic rays. These findings will pave the way for further studies and collaborations aimed at fully comprehending the nature and origins of these powerful particles from deep space.