The Amaterasu particle has an energy exceeding 240 exa-electron volts (EeV), millions of times more than particles achieve at the Large Hadron Collider.
Unlike low-energy cosmic rays, which typically originate from the sun, high-energy cosmic rays such as the Amaterasu particle are thought to come from other galaxies and extragalactic sources.
Scientists from the University of Utah and the University of Tokyo have detected an ultra-high-energy cosmic ray, named the 'Amaterasu particle', believed to originate from beyond the Milky Way galaxy. The detection was made by the Telescope Array experiment on May 27, 2023. The energy of this single subatomic particle is equivalent to dropping a brick on your toe from waist height, triggering 23 detectors at the north-west region of the Telescope Array and splashing across 48 km2.
Unlike low-energy cosmic rays, which typically originate from the sun, high-energy cosmic rays such as the Amaterasu particle are thought to come from other galaxies and extragalactic sources. The Amaterasu particle has an energy exceeding 240 exa-electron volts (EeV), millions of times more than particles achieve at the Large Hadron Collider. The origins of the particle are unknown, but experts believe that only the most powerful celestial events can create them.
The findings were published in the journal Science. The Amaterasu particle's energy rivals the record-setting 'Oh-My-God' particle observed in 1991. The Oh-My-God and the Amaterasu particles were detected using different observation techniques, confirming that while rare, these ultra-high energy events are real. Scientists hope that further investigations will shed light on ultra high-energy cosmic rays and their origins.
The energy of this single subatomic particle is equivalent to dropping a brick on your toe from waist height.
The event triggered 23 detectors at the north-west region of the Telescope Array, splashing across 48 km2.
The Oh-My-God and the Amaterasu particles were detected using different observation techniques, confirming that while rare, these ultra-high energy events are real.
The Amaterasu particle has an energy exceeding 240 exa-electron volts (EeV), millions of times more than particles achieve at the Large Hadron Collider.
Scientists hope that further investigations will shed light on ultra high-energy cosmic rays and their origins.
The findings were published in the journal Science.
Unlike low-energy cosmic rays, which typically originate from the sun, high-energy cosmic rays such as the Amaterasu particle are thought to come from other galaxies and extragalactic sources.
The detection of the particle could pave the way for further investigations that could help shed light on ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and where they come from.