Radiation flashes sparks cosmic mystery
December 15th 2007 06:17
Faint, fleeting flashes of radiation emitted by particles that travel faster than the speed of light through the atmosphere may help scientists solve one of the oldest mysteries in astrophysics.
Let me clarify the speed of light nothing can go faster than the speed of light however light t travels faster in a vacuum but light moves slower in air and water than it does in a vacuum.
Besides the energy contained in Sunlight you still have to contend with cosmic ray radiation coming in from the outer reaches of the galaxies. They're raining down on the upper atmosphere of the Earth at the rate of tens of thousands of particles per second per square meter.
What Cosmic rays are made up from?
Cosmic rays are mostly protons i.e., the nucleus of a hydrogen atom with a few nuclei of heavier atoms thrown in. They are moving at near the speed of light so that when they hit some matter they go right on through leaving behind a trail of atoms with electrons torn off them.
For almost a century, scientists have wondered about the origin of cosmic rays, subatomic particles of matter that stream in from outer space. The comic ray energy particles that are older than starlight.
Starlight moves in straight lines, one pass through our galaxy and it is gone, into the great emptiness between galaxies. This may require (say) 5000- 50,000 years, Cosmic ray ions, on the other hand, may be trapped by weak magnetic fields in the galaxy trapped not forever eventually they break free and continue the journey through space.
What kind of particles are these?
Cosmic rays very rarely reach the surface of the Earth, because they generally collide high in the atmosphere and all we get below is a shower of very fast fragments. However, sensitive photographic plates have been lifted by balloons to the top of the atmosphere of which the Commonwealth research and scientific organization (CSIRO) was prime contributor in the research of high altitude cosmic ray experiments during the 1960’s. The balloons carried photographic film plates which recorded there the passage of "primary" cosmic ray particles. The plates were developed, the tracks were scanned through microscopes and by the thickness of those tracks, and the particles which had caused them were identified.
The energy contained in a cosmic ray particle is indeed huge. The atmosphere shields us from cosmic rays about as effectively as a 13-foot layer of concrete. However cosmic rays pose a real problem for astronauts especially on long trip to Mars. Because of the high energy a large proportion of cosmic ray particles manage to send fragments all the way through it. Some have much, much higher energies, though as one goes up in energy, the numbers drop drastically. Cosmic ray ions at the top of the energy range produce in the atmosphere showers of many millions of fragments, covering many hect acres, and their more energetic fragments register even in deep mines, a mile underground. Relatively few of the particles are so energetic a cosmic ray detector might register them once a week but their existence is a real mystery.
Let me clarify the speed of light nothing can go faster than the speed of light however light t travels faster in a vacuum but light moves slower in air and water than it does in a vacuum.
Besides the energy contained in Sunlight you still have to contend with cosmic ray radiation coming in from the outer reaches of the galaxies. They're raining down on the upper atmosphere of the Earth at the rate of tens of thousands of particles per second per square meter.
What Cosmic rays are made up from?
Cosmic rays are mostly protons i.e., the nucleus of a hydrogen atom with a few nuclei of heavier atoms thrown in. They are moving at near the speed of light so that when they hit some matter they go right on through leaving behind a trail of atoms with electrons torn off them.
For almost a century, scientists have wondered about the origin of cosmic rays, subatomic particles of matter that stream in from outer space. The comic ray energy particles that are older than starlight.
Starlight moves in straight lines, one pass through our galaxy and it is gone, into the great emptiness between galaxies. This may require (say) 5000- 50,000 years, Cosmic ray ions, on the other hand, may be trapped by weak magnetic fields in the galaxy trapped not forever eventually they break free and continue the journey through space.
What kind of particles are these?
Cosmic rays very rarely reach the surface of the Earth, because they generally collide high in the atmosphere and all we get below is a shower of very fast fragments. However, sensitive photographic plates have been lifted by balloons to the top of the atmosphere of which the Commonwealth research and scientific organization (CSIRO) was prime contributor in the research of high altitude cosmic ray experiments during the 1960’s. The balloons carried photographic film plates which recorded there the passage of "primary" cosmic ray particles. The plates were developed, the tracks were scanned through microscopes and by the thickness of those tracks, and the particles which had caused them were identified.
A collision between a high-energy cosmic ray particle and an atom
The energy contained in a cosmic ray particle is indeed huge. The atmosphere shields us from cosmic rays about as effectively as a 13-foot layer of concrete. However cosmic rays pose a real problem for astronauts especially on long trip to Mars. Because of the high energy a large proportion of cosmic ray particles manage to send fragments all the way through it. Some have much, much higher energies, though as one goes up in energy, the numbers drop drastically. Cosmic ray ions at the top of the energy range produce in the atmosphere showers of many millions of fragments, covering many hect acres, and their more energetic fragments register even in deep mines, a mile underground. Relatively few of the particles are so energetic a cosmic ray detector might register them once a week but their existence is a real mystery.
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I feel young again.
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Makes you glad we have the atmosphere for protection.
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Nothing like a bit of glitter to spark up the complexion LOL.
Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Hi tlcorbin,
You pose some interesting questions. I will do my best to give you an answer that will bring new questions.
To first question:"Is there a practical application or a potential energy source "
The practicality would be limited as the high energy particles needed to be gathered high in the Earth's atmosphere so there would be a logistical problem and in theory it is possible to harness high energy particles above the Earth using high orbiting satellites.
I know this sounds like science fiction it is possible to construct a high energy particle weapon that would emit a laser like energy field capable of inducing high temperatures on any object/s they come in contact with.
perhaps another satellite?
How fast is the speed of thought?
We are dealing with neuro chemicals and it is difficult to quantify a relative speed of thought however we are not dealing with light travelling through space where there is not much in the way of resistance.
In the case of the human body where you have a higher density nerve impulses move a little more slowly. Recent studies suggest that sensory information is processed much faster than was previously thought and that individual neurons need to be active for only twenty to thirty milliseconds to indicate perception. Say around 300 milliseconds that’s how long it took a volunteer to begin to understand a pictured object. Add another 250 to 450 milliseconds to fully comprehend what the picture was all about you come up with a total speed of thought is between 550 and 750 milliseconds.
In order to asses any speed you need a distance reference would be expressed as 7.05419978 × 10^26 mph. 0.0946969697 mph this is the actual speed it takes neurons to travel just half an inch.
I hope this information helps....
CarlCan