NASA looks to SiGe for radiation-immune circuits Nov 18, 2009
The circuits will need no shielding, the researchers say, because they will continue to operate properly even when cosmic rays cause random localized errors ... When used in spacecraft, conventional electronics often require heavy shielding to prevent radiation damage, as well as triple redundancy to compensate for exposure to cosmic rays ... Cosmic rays, however, involve heavy ions moving at speeds so fast that no medium can stop them. (EETimes)
Black holes: Powerhouses of the universe Nov 11, 2009
Rays, bursts and jets Scientists think some of the energy released by the explosion and formation of a black hole goes toward accelerating particles to great speeds, creating marvels called cosmic rays that fly through the universe at almost the speed of light ... Menon recently wrote the book "High Energy Radiation from Black Holes: Gamma Rays, Cosmic Rays, and Neutrinos," (2009, Princeton University Press) with astrophysicist Charles Dermer of the Space Science Division of the Naval Research... (MSNBC -- Technology)
Did a Time-Traveling Bird Sabotage the Hadron Collider? Nov 11, 2009
Particle collisions of an energy equivalent to those planned in the LHC occur when high-energy cosmic rays collide with the earth's atmosphere ... "If nature truly did not want us to discover the Higgs, a cosmic ray would have zapped the embryo that became Peter, preventing its development into a physicist," he says. (Time.com)
Origin Of Cosmic Rays: VERITAS Telescopes Help Solve 100-year-old Mystery Nov 3, 2009
3, 2009) Nearly 100 years ago, scientists detected the first signs of cosmic rays -- subatomic particles (mostly protons) that zip through space at nearly the speed of light. The most energetic cosmic rays hit with the punch of a 98-mph fastball, even though they are smaller than an atom ... New evidence from the VERITAS telescope array shows that cosmic rays likely are powered by exploding stars and stellar "winds.". (Science Daily)
NASA's Fermi Telescope Detects Gamma Rays From 'Star Factories' In Other Galaxies Nov 3, 2009
This diffuse gamma-ray emission results when fast-moving particles called cosmic rays strike galactic gas or even starlight. Cosmic rays are hyperfast electrons, positrons, and atomic nuclei moving at nearly the speed of light ... Astronomers suspect that the rapidly expanding shells of exploded stars somehow accelerate cosmic ray particles to their fantastic energy. (Science Daily)
GALAXY PICTURE: Cosmic Ray Mystery Solved? Nov 3, 2009
GALAXY PICTURE: Cosmic Ray Mystery Solved ... GALAXY PICTURE: Cosmic Ray Mystery Solved ... November 2, 2009 Star explosions can act like ultra-powerful particle colliders in space, creating what are known as cosmic rays, new research shows. (National Geographic)
Is Fermi Seeing Dark Matter? Oct 29, 2009
If a signal of dark matter annihilation is there it will be mixed with other conventional components, such as gamma rays produced in cosmic ray interactions. . (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Average temp not increased Oct 20, 2009
The scientists' main approach was simple: to look at solar output and cosmic ray intensity over the last 30-40 years, and compare those trends with the graph for global average surface temperature. Read business stories in. (India Times)
IBEX maps edge of Solar System Oct 20, 2009
Understanding the interstellar space environment is crucial for progressing manned exploration of the Solar System, since the interstellar boundary shields the Solar System from the majority of galactic cosmic ray radiation. 2009 Yearbook. (Astronomy Now Online)
Cosmic Rays Affect Atmospheric Aerosols, Clouds Oct 6, 2009
Cosmic Ray Decreases Affect Atmospheric Aerosols And Clouds ... Cosmic Ray Decreases Affect Atmospheric Aerosols And Clouds ... Researchers of the National Space Institute in the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have traced the consequences of eruptions on the Sun that screen the Earth from some of the cosmic rays -- the energetic particles raining down on our planet from exploded stars. (Science Daily)
Heart of a galaxy emits gamma rays Oct 3, 2009
The flux of radiation from the starburst region of NGC 253 measured by H.E.S.S. implies an enormous cosmic ray density - more than 1,000 times higher than at the centre of the Milky Way. Moreover, the high gas density makes the conversion of cosmic rays into gamma rays around one order of magnitude more efficient. (EurekAlert!)
New Transient Radiation Belt Around Saturn Sep 21, 2009
The radiation belts within Tethys's orbit probably arise from the interaction of the planet s main rings and atmosphere and galactic cosmic ray particles that, unlike the solar wind, have the very high energies needed to penetrate the innermost Saturnian magnetosphere. This means that the inner radiation belts will only vary if the cosmic ray intensities at the distance of Saturn change significantly. (Science Daily)
Individual Cells Isolated From Biological Clock Can Keep Daily Time, But Are Unreliable Sep 11, 2009
The rhythmically waxing and waning glow was detected by a camera designed to capture the light from distant stars and so sensitive that it will register the passage of even a single cosmic ray. The recordings showed that all cells seem to be able to keep a 24-hour rhythm there are no special pacemaker cells but they don't seem to do it all the time. (Science Daily)
Particles As Tracers For Milky Way's Most Massive Explosions: 'Dark Matter' Origins Of Mysterious Flux Challenged Aug 20, 2009
Cosmic Ray Electrons and Positrons from Supernova Explosions of Massive Stars. Physical Review Letters on 7 August. (Science Daily)
NASA chooses crew for last scheduled shuttle flight Aug 12, 2009
The AMS payload is a state-of-the-art cosmic ray particle physics detector designed to examine matter as part of a probe into the origin and structure of the universe. Also flying aboard the mission. (Florida Today)
NASA's Mars Orbiter Recovers From Computer Glitch Aug 12, 2009
Earlier this year, the spacecraft entered safe mode on two occasions after unexpectedly rebooting its main Side A computer, most likely due to a hit by a stray cosmic ray or solar particle, mission managers have said. The new malfunction appears to be unrelated to those events, they added. (Fox News)
NASA Assigns Final Shuttle Crew Aug 12, 2009
The space agency said the instrument is a state-of-the-art cosmic ray particle physics detector designed to examine fundamental issues about matter and the origin and structure of the universe. Retired Air Force Col. Gregory Johnson will serve as the shuttle's pilot, while Air Force Col. Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff and Andrew Feustel will serve as mission specialists, along with European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Violent Youth Of Solar Proxies Steers Life Aug 11, 2009
meier says: "Planetary magnetic fields are important for two reasons: they protect the planet against the incoming charged particles, thus preventing the planetary atmosphere from being blown away, and also act as a shield against high energy cosmic rays. The lack of an intrinsic magnetic field may be the reason why today Mars does not have an atmosphere" ... He continues: "On the more speculative side we have also found indications that planets like Earth are also not necessarily the best... (Science Daily)
Using the Moon as a Giant Particle Accelerator Aug 6, 2009
Astronomers suspect ultra-high-energy neutrinos exist because they have found extraordinarily speedy charged particles called ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). These cosmic rays are thought to slam into photons left over from the big bang, creating neutrinos in the process ... The current lunar searches can only detect neutrinos at extremely high energies, at least 10 to 1000 times higher than the highest-energy cosmic rays that have been observed. (Newsmax)
NRL's Large Area Telescope explores high-energy particles Jul 29, 2009
NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is making some exciting discoveries about cosmic rays and the Large Area Telescope aboard Fermi is the tool in this investigation ... Cosmic rays are electrons, positrons, and atomic nuclei that move at nearly the speed of light ... Astronomers believe that the high-energy cosmic rays originate from exotic places in the galaxy, such as the debris of exploded stars. (EurekAlert!)
Could Cosmic Ray Influence Climate By Charging Up More Frequent Lightning Storms? Jul 23, 2009
Could Cosmic Ray Influence Climate By Charging Up More Frequent Lightning Storms ... Could Cosmic Ray Influence Climate By Charging Up More Frequent Lightning Storms ... ScienceDaily (July 22, 2009) Could cosmic rays be influencing climate by charging up more frequent lightning storms. (Science Daily)
Eclipse not visible in Taregna Jul 22, 2009
The Coordinator Bikash Chandra Pal said that the North Bengal University's High Energy Cosmic Ray Research Centre was conducting a small experiment on gama rays during the solar eclipse, which would remain unaffected whether it was visible or not. The fluctuations in emission of gama rays from neutron and binary stars and from some unknown sources were being studied, he said. (India Times)
"First Light" for New Lunar Orbiter Jul 4, 2009
Besides LROC, ground controllers have already activated two other instruments: the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector, or LEND, designed to identify regions enriched in hydrogen (a tracer for deposits of water ice); and the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER). The remaining four will be switched on next week. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Uranium Found on the Moon Jul 3, 2009
They announced the discovery recently at the 40th Lunar and Planetary Conference and at the Proceedings of the International Workshop Advances in Cosmic Ray Science. The revelation suggests that could be built on the moon, or even that Earth's satellite could serve as a mining source for uranium needed back home. (Fox News)
Japanese Find Uranium On the Moon Jul 2, 2009
They announced the discovery recently at the 40th Lunar and Planetary Conference and at the Proceedings of the International Workshop Advances in Cosmic Ray Science. The revelation suggests that nuclear power plants could be built on the moon, or even that Earth's satellite could serve as a mining source for uranium needed back home. (Newsmax)
Supernovae: Cosmic-Ray Superfactories Jun 30, 2009
Astronomers have had good reasons for quite a while to think that shock waves in supernova remnants create cosmic rays ... ESA / Univ. of Utrecht / J.Vink et al. But no one knows how much of a supernovas energy is actually converted into cosmic rays: is it enough to account for all the cosmic rays we see ... Cosmic rays are the highest-energy particles in the universe. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
> read more Jun 26, 2009
com - Homepage News - Supernovae Are Efficient Cosmic Ray Factories ... Supernovae Are Efficient Cosmic Ray Factories ... Astronomers have had good reasons for quite a while to think that shock waves in supernova remnants create cosmic rays. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
NASA orbiter on way to explore the moon Jun 20, 2009
The orbiter will have six instruments aboard, including the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation -- called CRaTER -- to characterize lunar radiation and its potential biological impacts. It will also have instruments to do thermal and ultraviolet mapping. (CNN -- Tech)
Mars orbiter enters safe mode after glitch Jun 5, 2009
NASA says spacecraft may have been hit by cosmic ray or solar particle ... - NASA says its powerful Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is in safe mode after being hit by a cosmic ray or solar particle. (MSNBC -- Technology)
AGU journal highlights -- May 29, 2009 May 30, 2009
These radio frequencies are present only when the storm is bombarded by cosmic ray extensive air showers, allowing scientists quickly to identify particular storms that are favorable to the proposed remote sensing techniques. Title: Remote measurements of thundercloud electrostatic fields. (EurekAlert!)
Planetarium show to feature SwRIs work May 29, 2009
The mission also is addressing a serious challenge facing manned space exploration by studying the region that shields earth from the majority of galactic cosmic ray radiation. David McComas, assistant vice president of the Space Science and Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute, is the IBEX principal investigator. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Balloon floated 'to catch cosmic rays' May 24, 2009
Balloon floated 'to catch cosmic rays ... LONDON: Researchers in Sweden have launched a giant balloon taller than a football field that is now flying at the edge of space to collect data on cosmic rays -- the most super-charged particles in the universe ... Its payload of cosmic ray detectors housed in a pressurised shell, will be cut free in northwestern Canada and float back down to Earth on a parachute and then recovered likely by helicopter. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
The Truth About Angels, Demons and Antimatter May 15, 2009
An occasional antimatter particle may arise naturally when a cosmic ray strikes Earth's upper atmosphere. But collecting man-made antimatter particles is much more practical for research. (Fox News)
Understanding Stellar Explosions Is Less Straightforward Than Previously Thought May 14, 2009
ScienceDaily (May 13, 2009) Stellar explosions called nov. are caused by nuclear reactions between the star's atoms. (Science Daily)
Changes In Sun Not Causing Global Warming May 12, 2009
The hypothesis they tested was that increased solar activity reduces cloudiness by changing cosmic rays ... In research published in Geophysical Research Letters, and highlighted in the May 1 edition of Science, Adams and Pierce report the first atmospheric simulations of changes in atmospheric ions and particle formation resulting from variations in the sun and cosmic rays ... "Proponents of the cosmic ray hypothesis will probably try to question these results, but the effect is so weak in our... (Science Daily)
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter To Help Astronauts Survive On Moon's Forbidding Frontier May 8, 2009
Astronauts in Earth orbit are somewhat protected from space radiation by Earth's magnetic field, which acts like a shield by deflecting many cosmic rays -- the high-speed electrically charged particles that are the most hazardous type of space radiation ... Magnetic storms that produce solar cosmic rays include solar flares, explosions in the sun's atmosphere that can deliver the energy of a billion one-megaton nuclear bombs, or coronal mass ejections, billion-ton eruptions of electrically... (Science Daily)
Veteran space walker could find three-point line during Hubble Space Telescope mission May 1, 2009
Before joining NASA in 1992, he had amassed research experience in X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, high-energy cosmic ray studies and the development of new detectors and instrumentation. Grunsfeld has since used the Hubble Telescope in his own research. (Univeristy of Chicago Chronicle, IL)
How Hawking became the "sage" of science Apr 28, 2009
"Hawking radiation" explained why microscopic black holes formed in high speed cosmic ray collisions aren't much of a worry, they radiate their heat away quickly and dissolve. Something similar may have happened to black holes formed in the early pressure cooker of the Big Bang some 13. (USA Today -- Tech)
Youngest Supernova Remnant: Researchers 'Clear Away The Dust' To Get Better Look Apr 28, 2009
Their new data provides evidence that this remnant is from a type Ia supernova -- the explosion of a white dwarf star -- and raises questions about the ways in which magnetic fields affect the generation of the remnant's cosmic ray particles ... Scientists know that supernovae create cosmic rays - fast-moving subatomic particles that play a role in the formation of stars - but they aren't sure how this occurs or what other functions the particles may serve ... Synchrotronic X-rays (like those... (Science Daily)
Underground Subatomic-particle Measurements Yield Meteorological Clues Mar 29, 2009
28, 2009) When high-energy cosmic rays interact with molecules in the atmosphere, they produce muons, negatively charged elementary particles that can be detected at ground level or underground ... Reporting in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, Osprey et al. compare cosmic ray muon rates from the Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search (MINOS) underground neutrino detector in Soudan, Minnesota, with upper air temperature data from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts... (Science Daily)
Spacecraft searches for other Earths Mar 7, 2009
Earth's magnetism, solar system interactions, the closest star (the Sun), cosmic ray analysis, near Earth asteroids, etc. etc. (Insight on the News)
UK's top young scientists named Mar 7, 2009
Peter impressed the judges with his design for a cosmic ray detector, while Chris's team's winning design detects damage to kit used to test gearboxes ... "Inside the LHC, there are high energy particle detectors, and we thought these would be ideal to detect cosmic rays in space." ... "Each school has a mini cosmic ray detector, which is connected to our device on the satellite," he explained. (BBC News -- Science)
Mars Orbiterglitch stallsscience Feb 27, 2009
Spacecraft may have been hit by cosmic ray, causing erroneous power surge ... One theory is that may have been hit by a cosmic ray, causing an erroneous power surge reading for about nine microseconds, more than enough time to trigger the computer reboot, mission managers said. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Engineers probe why Mars orbiter entered safe mode Feb 27, 2009
Engineers think the craft may have been hit by a cosmic ray that caused it to mistakenly believe there was a power surge. The orbiter is programmed to go into safe mode when it encounters an unknown event. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Homi Bhabha: a visionary scientist, a great human being Feb 24, 2009
"That decision turned out to be a turning point not only in the academic career of Bhabha but also for the advancement Indian science and technology in the post independence era," writes Badanaval Venkata Sreekantan, a cosmic ray physicist who joined Bhabha in 1948. Bhabha's five-year stint from 1939 at the Indian Institute of Science changed his plans to return to Britain. (Sify.com, India)
Officials set timetable for getting particle collider back on track Feb 17, 2009
Indeed, recent observations from satellites and balloons of anomalous cosmic ray signals have gotten experimentalists and theorists excited that a breakthrough on dark matter might be at hand. The hitch is that nobody knows for sure the mass of these superparticles. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Q&A: The LHC experiment Feb 10, 2009
If the LHC can produce micro black holes, for example, then nature is doing it right now by smashing ultra-high energy cosmic ray particles into the Earth directly above our heads with no discernable consequences. The overwhelmingly most likely explanation for our continued existence in the face of this potentially prolific production of black holes is that they aren't produced at all because there are either no extra dimensions in the Universe, or they aren't set up right for us to see them. (BBC News -- Science)
Mars rover may be feeling its age - finally Feb 8, 2009
One possible cause of the communication problem, Nelson said, might be an errant cosmic ray from distant space that somehow sparked a glitch in Spirit's computer and prevented it from storing the proper commands from Earth and responding correctly to them. The inability of Spirit's camera to locate the sun, he said, could have been a case of mistaken identity when it instead picked up a bright glint caused by the sun's reflection on one of the rover's metal body parts. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
