Cosmic radiation - shower of particles from space
- Brötchen-und-Borussia
Lecture in the series "Brötchen und Borussia" by Prof. Dr. Daniela Hadasch, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, The University of Tokyo
Cosmic rays are a phenomenon that has fascinated scientists for over a century. It involves particles that hit Earth from space and trigger a variety of processes in the atmosphere. Although their origin is not fully understood, researchers agree that these particles come from a variety of sources, including supernova explosions, neutron stars and black holes.
Cosmic rays are made up of different types of particles, including protons, helium nuclei, and heavier ions. These particles reach energies millions of times higher than those that can be achieved in terrestrial particle accelerators. Once they enter the atmosphere, they collide with gas molecules and create a cascade of secondary particles that propagate to the ground and can be measured by detectors on Earth.
Together we will embark on an exciting journey, from the origin of cosmic rays to their detection with the latest telescopes here on Earth!