Most powerful cosmic ray in decades has scientists asking, 'What the heck is going on?'
Scientists are seeking answers to a new outer space mystery after a telescope in Utah detected the most powerful cosmic ray seen in more than three decades.
Puzzling Particle from Beyond the Milky Way
A telescope in Utah has detected an extremely rare, ultra-high-energy particle believed to have originated beyond the Milky Way galaxy. The particle, nicknamed the Amaterasu particle, is generating curiosity among scientists as its exact origin remains unknown.
Some experts have suggested that the Amaterasu particle could have been generated by unknown physics. According to an article published in the scientific journal Nature, this discovery has left scientists wondering what could produce such a high energy. Cosmic rays, which are invisible to the naked eye, are charged particles that travel through space from other galaxies and extragalactic sources at close to the speed of light.
The Most Powerful Cosmic Ray Detected
More than 30 years ago, the most powerful cosmic ray, known as the Oh-My-God particle, was discovered. It had an energy measurement of around 320 exa-electron volts (EeV), which is significantly greater than what human-made particle accelerators can produce.
Recently, a cosmic ray with an energy estimation of 240 EeV was detected at the Telescope Array in Utah. Astronomer Toshihiro Fujii, who found the signals, initially had doubts about the data. However, further analysis confirmed that the measurements were consistent with those produced by ultra-cosmic rays.
Unraveling the Mystery of High-Energy Cosmic Rays
The origins of high-energy cosmic rays remain uncertain despite extensive research efforts. Scientists have been unable to trace the trajectory of the Oh-My-God particle and the new particle to a high-energy source.
John Matthews, co-spokesperson at the University of Utah, describes this mystery as 'what the heck is going on?' According to Professor John Belz, there is no conventional explanation, leading to theories such as defects in spacetime structure or colliding cosmic strings.
Efforts are underway to upgrade the Telescope Array in order to capture more of these rare ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays and gain a clearer understanding of their origins.
