cosmic rays

     

Cosmic rays are energetic particles originating from space that impinge on Earth's atmosphere. Almost 90% of all the incoming cosmic ray particles are protons, about 9% are helium nuclei (alpha particles) an about 1% are electrons (beta minus particles). The term "ray" is a misnomer, as cosmic particles arrive individually, not in the form of a ray or beam of particles.

Trivia about cosmic rays

  • Particle physics was established with research on these rays from outer space, from the Greek for "universe"
  • Pions are a type of these "rays" from outer space that enter the Earth's atmosphere

Found pages about cosmic rays