Regular cosmic occurrences might pose contradiction to physics
Two years ago, Earth was struck by one of the most potent cosmic rays, a phenomenon that scientists remarkably documented. However, such observations do not alter the fundamentals of this curious occurrence. The energetic particle traveled to us from a void, representing an enigma that could potentially defy physics.
7:22 AM EST, November 25, 2023
The omnipresent cosmic rays are indiscernible to us, yet they persistently permeate our existence. Comprising helium particles, cosmic rays pervade every 0.0155 square inches of the universe, traversing freely across our bodies. Yet, their detection necessitates the use of a dedicated apparatus.
The phenomenon of ultra-high energy cosmic rays
Occasionally, a stream of cosmic rays reaches the Earth at an exceptional speed. This transforms the standard cosmic rays into ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic rays. Particles of cosmic rays attain the status of beam radiation if they possess a minimum of one exa-electronvolt (EeV). They surpass the speeds of particles generated in human-built accelerators by a staggering million times.
On May 21, 2021, the Earth was impacted by a cosmic ray that had an energy level as high as 244 EeV. A cosmic ray of this energy magnitude had not been recorded for the past thirty years. The only ray with a higher energy level was the "Oh My Goodness(OMG)" cosmic ray, which hit Earth in 1991 with a force equating to 320 EeV.
Detecting cosmic rays
Our knowledge about space has evolved over three decades, leading to refined standards of space observation. Osaka Metropolitan University's scientists sought to scrutinize the detection results to comprehend this formidable cosmic ray, including its strength, formation, and origin. They attributed the "Amaterasu" moniker to the mysterious radiation particle and referred to data gathered by the Telescope Array sensors.
Spread over an area of 270 square miles in the desert region of Utah in the United States, these stations can detect cosmic radiation even at marginal energy levels. However, for UHE cosmic rays, they prove less useful.
The Amaterasu cosmic ray
Cosmic rays can be diverted during their journey by obstacles such as the magnetic fields of stars or other substantial objects. However, UHE rays travel with such speed that they can bypass these barriers.
Interestingly, the incoming direction of the Amaterasu ray is indicative of a void in the universe’s multi-scale structure - a region devoid of any evidence hinting at the existence of galaxies, nebulae, or other cosmic entities.
Attempts to pinpoint the source of the cosmic ray ended up in a dead end. Even though cosmic rays are produced as a result of supernova explosions, pulsars, and combining black holes, there’s a possibility that the Amaterasu ray emanated from an unknown cosmic event or it might even challenge the laws of physics.
Could UHE cosmic rays defy physics?
Toshihiro Fujii, the chief author of the research, argues that it's plausible for cosmic rays to trigger an unknown cosmic event, which may necessitate a deviation from the established Standard Model in particle physics.
Currently, UHE cosmic rays remain a baffling element in modern science. To further comprehend these rays, scientists need next-gen observatories, possibly even a reinterpretation of physics. Astrophysicists are beginning to question whether portraying these cosmic rays as a stream of helium particles is indeed accurate.
