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Cosmic rays are a form of high-energy radiation that originate from outside our solar system. When they reach Earth, the rays collide with particles in the upper atmosphere to produce a “shower” of particles, including muons. ( Image: CERN)

What are cosmic rays?

Cosmic rays are atom fragments that rain down on the Earth from outside of the solar system. They blaze at the speed of light and have been blamed for electronics problems in satellites and other machinery. Discovered in 1912, many things about cosmic rays remain a mystery more than a century later.

What are cosmic rays and why are they important?

The composition of cosmic rays is important because these rays are a direct sample of matter from outside the solar system and contain elements that are much too rare to be seen in spectroscopic lines from other stars. They also provide important information on the chemical evolution of the universe.

What are cosmic rays examples?

Cosmic rays are energetic, subatomic particles that arrive from outside the Earth's atmosphere. The lowest energy cosmic rays are produced by ordinary stars like the Sun. For example, during a solar flare many particles are ejected from the Sun.

What are cosmic rays caused by?

Cosmic radiation is produced when primary photons and α particles from outside the solar system interact with components of the earth's atmosphere. A second source of cosmic radiation is the release of charged particles from the sun, which become significant during periods of solar flare ('sun storm').

Are cosmic rays harmful?

They even permeate us, sailing straight through our bodies. One such mystery is cosmic rays, made of tiny bits of atoms. These rays, which are passing through us at this very moment, are not harmful to us or any other life on the surface of Earth.

What are the effects of cosmic rays on Earth?

The cosmic rays control the electrical system of the atmosphere which in turn affects cloud microphysics and radiative transfer of the atmosphere. Both clouds and radiative transfer change the global temperature and thus affect climate change.

How cosmic rays affect humans?

How much Space Radiation are Astronauts Exposed to? Beyond Low Earth Orbit, space radiation may place astronauts at significant risk for radiation sickness, and increased lifetime risk for cancer, central nervous system effects, and degenerative diseases.

What happens if cosmic rays hit the Earth?

When cosmic rays arrive at Earth, they can collide with the nuclei of atoms in the atmosphere, creating a shower of billions of secondary particles. Until humans built the first particle accelerators in the 1950s, cosmic rays were the only way to study particles smaller than atoms.

How do you block cosmic rays?

The most penetrating ionizing radiation (gamma rays and galactic cosmic rays) can pass through aluminum but is stopped by thick and dense material such as cement.