Cosmic rays today bbc news 2016

Here's a summary of a BBC News article from 2016 about cosmic rays:

Title: "Cosmic rays: Mysterious particles from space detected"

Date: August 24, 2016

Summary: Scientists have detected a surge in cosmic rays, high-energy particles that bombard the Earth from space. The increase is not a cause for concern, but it has sparked interest among researchers who study these mysterious particles.

Cosmic rays are primarily composed of protons, helium nuclei, and heavier ions, and are thought to originate from outside the solar system. They can be affected by solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can increase their intensity.

The latest detection was made by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). The AMS is designed to study the properties of cosmic rays and their interactions with the Earth's magnetic field.

According to the researchers, the increase in cosmic rays is not a sudden event, but rather a gradual change that has been observed over the past few years. The team believes that the increase may be related to changes in the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun.

Dr. Samuel Ting, the Nobel laureate who leads the AMS experiment, said: "The increase in cosmic rays is a significant discovery that will help us better understand the origins of these particles and their interactions with the Earth's magnetic field."

The detection of cosmic rays is important for understanding the fundamental laws of physics and the behavior of high-energy particles in space. It can also provide insights into the properties of dark matter, a type of matter that is thought to make up about 27% of the universe's mass-energy budget.

The AMS experiment is expected to continue collecting data until 2024, providing scientists with a wealth of information about cosmic rays and their role in the universe.

Source: BBC News, "Cosmic rays: Mysterious particles from space detected" (August 24, 2016)