Three types of extreme-energy space particles may have unified origin
Ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays are the most energetic particles in the universe — each of them carries an energy that is too high to be produced even by the Large Hadron Collider, the most
The Most Powerful Particles in the Universe
The particles smash into smithereens against the molecules in our atmosphere, sending a cascade of radiation down to the ground. Capturing these and other telltale signals is the mission of
Solar Energetic Particles
Solar energetic particle (SEP) events are responsible for some of the highest particle intensities that we have seen in space near Earth. The solar wind, which blows continuously at speeds of 300-800
Solar energetic particles
Solar energetic particles (SEP), formerly known as solar cosmic rays, are high-energy, charged particles originating in the solar atmosphere and solar wind. They consist of protons, electrons and heavy ions with energies ranging from a few tens of keV to many GeV. The exact processes involved in transferring energy to SEPs is a subject of ongoing study. SEPs are relevant to the field of space weather, as they are responsible for SEP events and ground level enhancements
Solar Energetic Particles
Solar energetic particles (SEP) are defined as high fluxes of charged particles, primarily protons, electrons, and heavier ions, produced by solar flares and coronal mass ejections, with
What is the Nature and Origin of the Highest-Energy Particles in
In the new era of multi-messenger astronomy, improved measurements of the highest-energy particles will provide a compelling and complementary view of the extreme universe.
Laboratory Solar Flares Reveal Clues to Mechanism Behind Bursts of
Simulating solar flares on a scale the size of a banana, researchers at Caltech have parsed out the process by which these massive explosions blast potentially harmful energetic
Parker Solar Probe Uncovers Hidden Source of Sun''s Powerful
Thanks to NASA''s Parker Solar Probe—a spacecraft daring enough to fly repeatedly through the Sun''s outer atmosphere—scientists have identified a surprising new source of energetic
Power to the particles
Particles in space can be accelerated to high energy, the distribution of which follows a power law. This has now been reproduced in laboratory experiments mimicking astrophysical scenarios,...
Black Hole Winds May Be Firing the Universe''s Most Powerful Particles
Detected first in 1962, these particles are incredibly rare but powerful, some carrying energy levels up to 102010^ {20} electronvolts. That''s about a billion times more energetic than