Cosmic rays linked to supernovae
Posted: Tue, Feb 19, 2013, 7:12 AM ET (1212 GMT)
Astronomers have found evidence suggesting that high-energy cosmic rays are produced in the shock fronts of supernova explosions. Observations by ground and space-based telescopes of supernovae indicated that their expanding shock waves can accelerate protons to close to the speed of light; most cosmic rays are such high-speed protons. Gamma-ray observations confirmed this origin by detecting gamma rays at the energies expected when an accelerated proton collides with a stationary one. Astronomers had previously speculated that supernovae were the source of cosmic rays, but lacked proof before these observations.
Astronomers have found evidence suggesting that high-energy cosmic rays are produced in the shock fronts of supernova explosions. Observations by ground and space-based telescopes of supernovae indicated that their expanding shock waves can accelerate protons to close to the speed of light; most cosmic rays are such high-speed protons. Gamma-ray observations confirmed this origin by detecting gamma rays at the energies expected when an accelerated proton collides with a stationary one. Astronomers had previously speculated that supernovae were the source of cosmic rays, but lacked proof before these observations.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Virgin Galactic conducts first suborbital spaceflight since 2021
Posted: Sat, May 27 10:56 AM ET (1456 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, May 30
Shenzhou 16 lifts off with China’s first civilian astronaut on board
South China Morning Post — 5:34 am ET (0934 GMT) China launches Shenzhou 16 on post-assembly space station mission
collectSPACE — 5:34 am ET (0934 GMT) Xi Charm Offensive Turns to Space as ‘Divine Craft’ Launches
Bloomberg News — 5:33 am ET (0933 GMT) Shenzhou-16 astronauts arrive at China’s space station
Space News — 5:31 am ET (0931 GMT) North Korea says "reconnaissance satellite" to be launched in June
Kyodo International — 5:30 am ET (0930 GMT) |
