Cosmic rays tonight 2019 bbc news

A fascinating topic!

According to BBC News on October 24, 2019, scientists have detected a surge in cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that bombard the Earth from space. Here's a summary of the article:

Title: "Cosmic ray surge detected by scientists"

Summary: A sudden increase in cosmic rays has been detected by scientists, who are unsure what's causing the surge. The cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles from outside the solar system, have been monitored by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the International Space Station (ISS). The AMS is designed to detect and analyze cosmic rays, which can provide insights into the origins of the universe.

The surge: The surge in cosmic rays was detected on October 13, 2019, and has been ongoing since then. The increase is significant, with the number of cosmic rays detected by the AMS increasing by a factor of 10 compared to the average rate over the past few years.

Cause unknown: Scientists are still trying to determine the cause of the surge. One possibility is that it could be related to a nearby supernova, which is an explosion of a star that can release a massive amount of energy into space. However, no nearby supernovae have been detected recently.

Implications: The surge in cosmic rays could have implications for our understanding of the universe. Cosmic rays can provide insights into the origins of the universe, including the formation of stars and galaxies. They can also help scientists understand the properties of dark matter, a mysterious substance that makes up about 27% of the universe.

Quote: "This is a very exciting discovery, and we're working hard to understand the cause of the surge," said Dr. Samuel Ting, the Nobel laureate who leads the AMS project. "Cosmic rays are a window into the universe, and this increase could be a sign of something new and interesting happening out there."

Overall, the detection of a surge in cosmic rays is an intriguing development that could lead to new insights into the universe and its mysteries.