Astronomers found a high-energy cosmic particle called “Amaterasu,” with an unmatched energy level of 244 EeV, utilizing the Telescope Array experiment inUtah This uncommon cosmic ray, similar to the historical “Oh-My-God” particle, raises concerns about its origin and structure.
Unknown incredibly energetic particle from area spotted and called after Japanese misconception.
A high-energy particle falls from area to the Earth’s surface area– it is unclear where it originated from and even what it is, precisely. This might seem like something out of sci-fi, however it remains in truth a clinical truth, as evidenced by the research study led by Associate Professor Toshihiro Fujii from the Graduate School of Science and Nambu Yoichiro Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics at Osaka Metropolitan University.
Artist’s illustration of the incredibly energetic cosmic ray observed by a surface area detector selection of the Telescope Array experiment, called “Amaterasu particle.” Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University/ L-INSIGHT, Kyoto University/Ryuunosuke Takeshige
Exploring Galactic Phenomena
Cosmic rays are energetic charged particles stemming from galactic and extragalactic sources. Cosmic rays with incredibly high energy are remarkably uncommon; they can reach higher than 1018 electron volts or one exa-electron volt (EeV), which is approximately a million times greater than accomplished by the most effective accelerators ever made by people.
Artist’s illustration of ultra-high-energy cosmic ray astronomy to clarify incredibly energetic phenomena in contrast to a weaker cosmic ray that is affected by electro-magnetic fields. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University/Kyoto University/Ryuunosuke Takeshige
The Telescope Array Experiment
Chasing after such rays from area, Professor Fujii and a worldwide group of researchers have actually been performing the Telescope Array experiment because2008 This specialized cosmic ray detector includes 507 scintillator surface area stations, covering an extensive detection location of 700 square kilometers in Utah, UnitedStates On May 27, 2021, the scientists spotted a particle with a tremendous energy level of 244 EeV.
Unprecedented Energy Cosmic Ray
“When I first discovered this ultra-high-energy cosmic ray, I thought there must have been a mistake, as it showed an energy level unprecedented in the last 3 decades,” shared Professor Fujii.
Such an energy level is similar to that of the most energetic cosmic ray ever observed, called the “Oh-My-God” particle, which had actually an approximated energy of 320 EeV when spotted in 1991.
The tape-recorded signal and occasion animation of the incredibly energetic particle, called the “Amaterasu” particle. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University
Naming the Enigmatic Particle
Of the numerous prospects for the particle’s name, Professor Fujii and coworkers decided on “Amaterasu,” after the sun goddess that, according to Shinto beliefs, contributed in the production of Japan.
The Amaterasu particle is maybe as mystical as the Japanese goddess herself. Where did it originate from? What precisely was it? These concerns stay. There is hope that the Amaterasu particle will lead the way for lighting up the origins of cosmic rays.
The Search for Cosmic Origins Continues
“No promising astronomical object matching the direction from which the cosmic ray arrived has been identified, suggesting possibilities of unknown astronomical phenomena and novel physical origins beyond the Standard Model,” Professor Fujii mused. “In the future, we commit to continue operating the Telescope Array experiment, as we embark, through our ongoing upgraded experiment with fourfold sensitivities, dubbed TAx4, and next-generation observatories, on a more detailed investigation into the source of this extremely energetic particle.”
Reference: “An extremely energetic cosmic ray observed by a surface detector array” 23 November 2023, Science
DOI: 10.1126/ science.abo5095
