What is the nature of cosmic rays?
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Cosmic rays are high-energy particles originating from various astronomical sources outside Earth's atmosphere, including the Sun and other celestial bodies . These particles, predominantly protons, make up the primary component of cosmic radiation, with electrons and antiparticles like positrons and antiprotons also present in smaller quantities . The composition of cosmic rays plays a crucial role in understanding phenomena like extensive air showers and the spectral changes observed in the knee region, indicating possible astrophysical reasons for anomalies in cosmic ray behavior . The study of cosmic rays has significantly contributed to particle physics, leading to the discovery of particles like positrons, pi mesons, kaons, and hyperons between 1930 and 1960 . These energetic particles provide valuable insights into distant astrophysical processes, such as supernovae, black hole mergers, and sources around central black holes in galaxies .
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| Papers (4) | Insight |
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7 Citations | Cosmic rays consist of solar, galactic, and extragalactic matter, with protons being the most abundant component, while electrons provide insight into the local galactic environment. Antiparticles are also present. |
1 Citations | The nature of cosmic rays is linked to anomalous effects in 1–100 PeV range, suggesting a nonnuclear component, possibly strange quark matter, influencing extensive air showers. |
| The nature of cosmic rays is primarily composed of protons as the main component of the primary radiation, as established through global measurements and theoretical studies on magnetic field effects. | |
| Cosmic rays are high energy particles, not rays, originating from various astronomical sources outside Earth's atmosphere, detected through showers of secondary particles, revealing insights into distant cosmic phenomena. |
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