Cosmic Rays
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Scientists Explore Role of Space Radiation in Powering Alien Microbial Life
A new study proposes that life may exist far from sunlight in a “radiolytic habitable zone” deep beneath the icy surfaces of Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Cosmic rays, which can penetrate rock and ice, break water molecules apart to release hydrogen, oxygen, and energy-rich electrons. These can fuel microbes in subsurface water, much like bacter...
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What If A Baby Were Born In Space? A Scientist Breaks It Down
While it's theoretically possible for a baby to be born in space, the challenges are significant.
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Scientists Recreate Cosmic Ray Physics Using Cold Atom in New Laboratory Study
Scientists have successfully recreated Fermi acceleration in a lab using ultracold atoms and movable optical barriers, simulating how cosmic rays gain energy in space. Developed by teams from Birmingham and Chicago, the mini Fermi accelerator marks a major advance in particle physics, opening doors to high-energy astrophysics studies and innovation...
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Most Distant Mini-Halo Discovered in Galaxy Cluster 10 Billion Light-Years Away
Astronomers have uncovered the most distant mini-halo ever detected, located around the galaxy cluster SpARCS1049, a staggering 10 billion light-years from Earth. Using the LOFAR radio telescope network, which spans eight European countries, researchers detected a faint, diffuse glow—evidence of a giant cloud of high-energy particles and magnetic...
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New Study Confirms TeV Halos Are Common in Middle-Aged Pulsars
A recent study by researchers from the U.S. and Mexico using data from the HAWC Observatory has confirmed that TeV halos are a universal feature of middle-aged pulsars. These extended regions of gamma-ray emission are significantly larger than pulsar wind nebulae and may help identify otherwise undetectable pulsars. The findings challenge existing ...
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The Universe’s Brightest Lights Have Surprisingly Dark and Mysterious Origins
NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed that some of the universe’s brightest light sources originate near supermassive black holes in galaxy centres. These active galactic nuclei emit intense radiation, including gamma rays and X-rays, despite black holes themselves being invisible. Their powerful jets and high-energy emissions cha...
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New Study Uncovers Shadowy Origins of Universe’s Most Luminous Phenomena
NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed that some of the universe’s brightest light sources originate near supermassive black holes in galaxy centres. These active galactic nuclei emit intense radiation, including gamma rays and X-rays, despite black holes themselves being invisible. Their powerful jets and high-energy emissions cha...
-
Scientists Detects Most Energetic Neutrino Ever in the Mediterranean Sea
A record-breaking neutrino with 220 quadrillion electron volts has been detected in the Mediterranean Sea. Captured by the KM3NeT deep-sea telescope, this rare cosmic event could be linked to powerful astrophysical phenomena such as black holes or supernovae. Neutrinos, nearly massless particles that rarely interact with matter, provide crucial ins...
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AMS Data Reveals Charged Particle Variations in Heliosphere Over Solar Cycle
Researchers analysing AMS data aboard the ISS have identified variations in charged particles within the heliosphere over an 11-year solar cycle. Shifts in the heliospheric magnetic field impact antiproton behaviour and cosmic nuclei fluxes, revealing correlations between solar modulation and cosmic ray movement. AMS measurements provide insights i...
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Cosmic Rays Could Help Scientists Study Tornado Formation Through Muon Detection
Cosmic rays and their byproduct, muons, may help scientists study tornado formation by detecting pressure changes remotely. This technique would avoid the need for direct measurements within dangerous storms. Researchers plan to use muon detectors over large areas or portable versions to track severe weather patterns. The findings could enhance und...
-
Astronomers Uncover New Details of CIZA0107 Galaxy Cluster Merger with VLA
A team of astronomers, led by Emma Schwartzmann from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, used the Very Large Array (VLA) to study the nearby galaxy cluster merger CIZA J0107.7+5408 (CIZA0107). The observations provided new insights into the dynamics of galaxy mergers, revealing a disturbed system with two subclusters and diffuse radio emission span...
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Thunderstorms May Skew Ultra-High-Energy Gamma Ray Measurements, Experts Warn
The detection of ultra-high-energy gamma rays by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Tibet has sparked debate over the accuracy of the findings. Experts suggest that thunderstorms could interfere with measurements by amplifying particle showers in the atmosphere, leading to overestimated gamma ray energy levels. A study by As...
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Cosmic Rays Could Erase Signs of Life on Mars, Study Reveals
A new study highlights how cosmic radiation is destroying signs of ancient life on Mars. Organic materials like lipids degrade quickly under radiation, especially in salt-rich environments. Scientists suggest future Mars exploration should focus on deeper drilling, such as ESA's upcoming Rosalind Franklin Rover mission, to avoid surface radiation e...
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Astronomers Explore Moon as Vantage Point for Space Studies: Report
A recent symposium at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru brought together over 60 scientists and researchers to discuss the Moon’s role as a vantage point for advanced astronomical studies. Organised by RRI and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of ISRO, the three-day event focused on leveraging the Moon’s unique environment for ...
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Powerful Cosmic Rays Believed To Be From Nearby Pulsar Discovered
A pulsar which can be at most a few thousand light years away, could be the source of the cosmic rays.
-
Scientists Explore Role of Space Radiation in Powering Alien Microbial Life
A new study proposes that life may exist far from sunlight in a “radiolytic habitable zone” deep beneath the icy surfaces of Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Cosmic rays, which can penetrate rock and ice, break water molecules apart to release hydrogen, oxygen, and energy-rich electrons. These can fuel microbes in subsurface water, much like bacter...
-
What If A Baby Were Born In Space? A Scientist Breaks It Down
While it's theoretically possible for a baby to be born in space, the challenges are significant.
-
Scientists Recreate Cosmic Ray Physics Using Cold Atom in New Laboratory Study
Scientists have successfully recreated Fermi acceleration in a lab using ultracold atoms and movable optical barriers, simulating how cosmic rays gain energy in space. Developed by teams from Birmingham and Chicago, the mini Fermi accelerator marks a major advance in particle physics, opening doors to high-energy astrophysics studies and innovation...
-
Most Distant Mini-Halo Discovered in Galaxy Cluster 10 Billion Light-Years Away
Astronomers have uncovered the most distant mini-halo ever detected, located around the galaxy cluster SpARCS1049, a staggering 10 billion light-years from Earth. Using the LOFAR radio telescope network, which spans eight European countries, researchers detected a faint, diffuse glow—evidence of a giant cloud of high-energy particles and magnetic...
-
New Study Confirms TeV Halos Are Common in Middle-Aged Pulsars
A recent study by researchers from the U.S. and Mexico using data from the HAWC Observatory has confirmed that TeV halos are a universal feature of middle-aged pulsars. These extended regions of gamma-ray emission are significantly larger than pulsar wind nebulae and may help identify otherwise undetectable pulsars. The findings challenge existing ...
-
The Universe’s Brightest Lights Have Surprisingly Dark and Mysterious Origins
NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed that some of the universe’s brightest light sources originate near supermassive black holes in galaxy centres. These active galactic nuclei emit intense radiation, including gamma rays and X-rays, despite black holes themselves being invisible. Their powerful jets and high-energy emissions cha...
-
New Study Uncovers Shadowy Origins of Universe’s Most Luminous Phenomena
NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed that some of the universe’s brightest light sources originate near supermassive black holes in galaxy centres. These active galactic nuclei emit intense radiation, including gamma rays and X-rays, despite black holes themselves being invisible. Their powerful jets and high-energy emissions cha...
-
Scientists Detects Most Energetic Neutrino Ever in the Mediterranean Sea
A record-breaking neutrino with 220 quadrillion electron volts has been detected in the Mediterranean Sea. Captured by the KM3NeT deep-sea telescope, this rare cosmic event could be linked to powerful astrophysical phenomena such as black holes or supernovae. Neutrinos, nearly massless particles that rarely interact with matter, provide crucial ins...
-
AMS Data Reveals Charged Particle Variations in Heliosphere Over Solar Cycle
Researchers analysing AMS data aboard the ISS have identified variations in charged particles within the heliosphere over an 11-year solar cycle. Shifts in the heliospheric magnetic field impact antiproton behaviour and cosmic nuclei fluxes, revealing correlations between solar modulation and cosmic ray movement. AMS measurements provide insights i...
-
Cosmic Rays Could Help Scientists Study Tornado Formation Through Muon Detection
Cosmic rays and their byproduct, muons, may help scientists study tornado formation by detecting pressure changes remotely. This technique would avoid the need for direct measurements within dangerous storms. Researchers plan to use muon detectors over large areas or portable versions to track severe weather patterns. The findings could enhance und...
-
Astronomers Uncover New Details of CIZA0107 Galaxy Cluster Merger with VLA
A team of astronomers, led by Emma Schwartzmann from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, used the Very Large Array (VLA) to study the nearby galaxy cluster merger CIZA J0107.7+5408 (CIZA0107). The observations provided new insights into the dynamics of galaxy mergers, revealing a disturbed system with two subclusters and diffuse radio emission span...
-
Thunderstorms May Skew Ultra-High-Energy Gamma Ray Measurements, Experts Warn
The detection of ultra-high-energy gamma rays by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Tibet has sparked debate over the accuracy of the findings. Experts suggest that thunderstorms could interfere with measurements by amplifying particle showers in the atmosphere, leading to overestimated gamma ray energy levels. A study by As...
-
Cosmic Rays Could Erase Signs of Life on Mars, Study Reveals
A new study highlights how cosmic radiation is destroying signs of ancient life on Mars. Organic materials like lipids degrade quickly under radiation, especially in salt-rich environments. Scientists suggest future Mars exploration should focus on deeper drilling, such as ESA's upcoming Rosalind Franklin Rover mission, to avoid surface radiation e...
-
Astronomers Explore Moon as Vantage Point for Space Studies: Report
A recent symposium at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru brought together over 60 scientists and researchers to discuss the Moon’s role as a vantage point for advanced astronomical studies. Organised by RRI and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) of ISRO, the three-day event focused on leveraging the Moon’s unique environment for ...
-
Powerful Cosmic Rays Believed To Be From Nearby Pulsar Discovered
A pulsar which can be at most a few thousand light years away, could be the source of the cosmic rays.
