Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Malaspina Glacier in southeastern Alaska. With a size of approximately 1,680 square miles, Malaspina is the world’s largest piedmont glacier. It covers an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.&nbsp;



"To human eyes, glacial ice typically looks white tinged with blue. But in this false-color satellite image, the rippled ice of Alaska’s Malaspina Glacier appears more fiery than frosty," said NASA.



"In this configuration, watery features are displayed in reds, oranges, and yellows; vegetation appears green; and rock is shown in shades of blue."



A piedmont glacier forms when steep valley glaciers spill into flat plains, where they spread out into bulbous, lobate shapes. Malaspina is fed by the Seward Ice Field and other smaller glaciers.&nbsp;



Despite its size, it's relatively thin for a glacier of its magnitude, averaging only about 600 meters (2,000 feet) in thickness.



The Malaspina Glacier is a classic example of a glacier experiencing significant retreat and thinning due to climate change. This has raised concerns about its long-term stability and the broader implications for sea-level rise.&nbsp;



The glacier's meltwater contributes to the Gulf of Alaska, and its changes are closely monitored by scientists.



Most of the Malaspina Glacier is located within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Its visually striking nature, including crevasses and moraines, makes it a subject of interest not only for scientists but also for photographers and nature enthusiasts.&nbsp;



The image was captured on October 27, 2023 by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Malaspina Glacier in southeastern Alaska 

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/151929/indonesian-fires-return-in-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Moon peeking over Earth's horizon. The image was captured as the International Space Station was orbiting over Iraq. 



"Taken at an oblique angle from an altitude of 406 kilometers (252 miles), the photo has a perspective that highlights Earth’s atmospheric limb, or the edge of the atmosphere," says NASA.



"The blue-toned haze that fades into the darkness of space is the mesosphere, which reaches an altitude of about 80 kilometers (50 miles). Above the mesosphere is the thermosphere. Although this layer is part of Earth’s atmosphere, it is commonly considered part of outer space."



According to NASA, the Moon is about 405,500 kilometers (251,000 miles) away from Earth at its furthest point, or apogee.



"Below the wispy clouds in the middle of the view is Lake Assad, a Euphrates River reservoir in northern Syria," notes NASA.



"Lake Assad is Syria’s largest lake and a primary source of the region’s drinking and irrigation water. The Tabqa Dam, which created the lake, is the largest hydroelectric dam in the country."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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The Moon peeks over Earth's horizon

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> features a rare view of Elephant Island off the coast of Antarctica. The photo was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission in February 2023.



Elephant Island is an ice-covered, mountainous island in the Southern Ocean. It is located in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands.



"The highest peaks are Mount Pendragon, which reaches around 970 meters, visible on the southern end, and, moving northeast, Mount Elder, which reaches around 945 meters," said ESA.



"North of Mount Elder, the wide Endurance Glacier can be seen in the centre of the image. It is the main discharge glacier on the island and drains to the south and into the Weddel Sea. Thin sea ice, visible in light blue in front of the calving front, separates the glacier terminus from the open ocean waters."



Elephant Island holds a special place in polar exploration history because of its role in the Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-1917). After their ship, the Endurance, was trapped and then crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea, Shackleton and his crew sailed lifeboats over treacherous seas to reach Elephant Island. It was an inhospitable place with no sources of food or shelter, but it was land.



Realizing that there was no chance of rescue from Elephant Island, Shackleton and a few crew members set out in a small lifeboat, the James Caird, to sail 800 miles to South Georgia Island where they hoped to find help. This journey is considered one of the greatest boat journeys ever accomplished. They did eventually reach South Georgia, and Shackleton was able to return to Elephant Island and rescue the remaining crew members.



Though it's largely ice-covered, Elephant Island is home to various wildlife, particularly seals, penguins, and seabirds. The island is uninhabited by humans, but it is a popular destination for expedition cruises and is often visited by those interested in polar exploration history.



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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Elephant Island off the coast of Antarctica

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Tunulliarfik Fjord, which is located along the southern perimeter of Greenland.



"On March 13, 2023, the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired these natural-color images of Tunulliarfik Fjord. The images have been pan-sharpened to bring out more detail," says NASA.



"At the time, the fjord’s waters were capped with a layer of sea ice. Atop the ice there are several long, straight lines connecting the towns of Narsarsuaq and Qassiarsuk, and running the length of the fjord. Though cracks and ridges can form naturally in the ice, there are indications that people were likely involved with producing some of the tracks pictured here."



The images were reviewed by Nathan Kurtz and several other scientists in the Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The experts determined that many of the tracks were produced by vehicles like snowmobiles. 



“It seems likely that residents from the town or nearby were out on the ice, possibly hunting or traveling,“ said Kurtz.



Tunulliarfik Fjord, also known as Erik's Fjord, is historically significant because it's close to the site where Erik the Red, the Norse explorer, established the first Norse settlements in Greenland around the year 985 AD. These Norse settlements, particularly Brattahlíð, were key starting points for the Norse exploration of the region and are the reason Greenland has its name.



The fjord offers picturesque landscapes typical of Greenland, with steep cliffs, icebergs, and vast open waters. The region is rich in history, and there have been numerous archaeological digs uncovering remnants of the old Norse settlements.



Today, the nearby town of Qaqortoq is one of the primary settlements in the area, providing modern amenities while retaining a deep connection to the region's historical and cultural significance.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tunulliarfik Fjord in southern Greenland 

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the west coast of South America. The photo was captured by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station while orbiting over the Atacama Desert and Central Andes Mountains near the border of Bolivia, Peru, and Chile.



"Over the Pacific Ocean, marine stratocumulus clouds develop over cold water that rises from the ocean depths as the Peru current (Humboldt current) flows north along the west coast of South America," says NASA. "The coastline is marked by low mountains that are dissected by canyons carved by rivers that flow down the western side of the Andes."



The Atacama Desert receives less than 0.2 inches of rain per year on average. According to NASA, this dry environment provides an ideal setting to conduct Mars analog studies.



"Active and inactive volcanoes comprise the Central Andean Volcanic Arc within the Atacama Desert and Andes Mountains. One of the inactive volcanoes visible in this photo is Bolivia’s Nevado Sajama, which has a maximum elevation of 6,542 meters (21,463 feet). Nevado Sajama and other volcanoes in the region often have <a href="http://glaciers">glaciers</a> and snow cover due to their high elevation."



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The Atacama Desert on the west coast of South America

Scientists from the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam</a> have made a significant discovery regarding newborn babies, music, and "beat" perception. The research confirms that newborns have rhythm and can recognize the beat in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-can-prevent-brain-aging-and-cognitive-decline/">music</a>. 



The findings suggest that the ability to perceive a music beat is an innate cognitive mechanism - distinct from other learning processes - that is active from the very beginning of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-babies-perceive-music">How babies perceive music</h2>



"There is still a lot we don't know about how newborn babies perceive, remember and process <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-as-a-pain-reliever-the-power-of-your-playlist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>," study's lead author Professor Henkjan Honing. 



"But, in 2009, we found clear indications that babies of just a few days old have the ability to hear a regular pulse in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-activity-reveals-connection-between-music-and-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> -- the beat -- a characteristic that is considered essential for making and appreciating music."



To further explore this phenomenon, the researchers conducted an experiment with 27 newborn babies. The goal was to distinguish between the babies' ability to learn the order of sounds in a drum rhythm (statistical learning) and their capacity to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-prefer-listening-to-live-music-than-to-a-recording-of-the-same-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recognize a beat</a> (beat-induction). 



This distinction is crucial in understanding how beat perception operates as a separate cognitive mechanism from birth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



The method involved presenting two versions of a drum rhythm to the babies via headphones. The first version had an isochronous timing, maintaining equal intervals between sounds, enabling the perception of a pulse or beat.&nbsp;



The second version had the same drum pattern but with random timing (jittered), making beat perception impossible, though the sequence of sounds could still be learned.



Due to the challenges in observing behavioral responses in newborns, the study relied on brain wave measurements (EEG) taken while the babies slept. This approach allowed the researchers to observe the brain responses to the different rhythm versions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-insights-into-babies-and-music">Key insights into babies and music</h2>



The experts found that when the rhythm had regular intervals, the babies' brain responses indicated they heard the beat. However, when the timing was irregular, the beat was not perceived.



"This crucial difference confirms that being able to hear the beat is innate and not simply the result of learned sound sequences," said study author István Winkler, a professor at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology at the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences (TTK).&nbsp;



"Our findings suggest that it is a specific skill of newborns and make clear how important baby and nursery rhymes are for the auditory development of young children. More insight into early perception is of great importance for learning more about infant cognition and the role that musical skills may play in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-promotes-social-development-in-infants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early development</a>."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fundamental-human-trait-nbsp">Fundamental human trait&nbsp;</h2>



The research not only adds a new dimension to our understanding of cognitive development in newborns but also highlights the intrinsic connection between humans and music from birth.



"Most people can easily pick up the beat in music and judge whether the music is getting faster or slower – it seems like an inconsequential skill," said Professor Honing.



"However, since perceiving regularity in music is what allows us to dance and make music together, it is not a trivial phenomenon. In fact, beat perception can be considered a fundamental human trait that must have played a crucial role in the evolution of our capacity for music."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-connection-to-music">The human connection to music</h2>



Music is an extraordinary force, deeply rooted in human nature. Across all cultures and ages, it serves as a universal language, transcending barriers and fostering connections.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-impact-of-music">Emotional impact of music</h3>



Music possesses a unique ability to evoke <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotions-inspired-by-music-shape-our-most-enduring-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">profound emotions</a> in adults and babies alike. Melodies and rhythms can trigger joy, sadness, nostalgia, or excitement, often instantly and intensely. This emotional resonance is due to music’s direct link to the brain’s limbic system, which governs our emotions and memories.



Groups often use music to strengthen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/classical-music-can-synchronize-the-heartbeats-of-strangers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social bonds</a>. Whether it's through a shared experience at a concert, a communal dance, or singing together, music fosters a sense of belonging and unity. This communal aspect of music is rooted in our evolutionary history, where early humans used music for social cohesion and communication.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-and-memory">Music and memory</h3>



Music's power extends to unlocking memories. A familiar song can transport us back in time, reviving forgotten moments and emotions. This phenomenon, known as the "Proustian effect," highlights music’s capacity to activate specific memory traces.



In therapy, music aids in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-can-prevent-brain-aging-and-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory recall</a> and emotional processing, especially in patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-therapy-can-reduce-pain-stress-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Music therapy</a> has shown remarkable results in reawakening memories and improving the mood and cognitive function of such patients.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-in-cultural-identity">Music in cultural identity</h3>



Music is a vital expression of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-biases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultural identity</a>. It carries the stories, beliefs, and traditions of a community, passing them down through generations. Traditional music forms help preserve cultural heritage and foster a sense of identity and continuity.



Furthermore, music acts as a bridge between different cultures. Exposure to diverse musical styles fosters understanding and appreciation of other cultures, promoting empathy and tolerance.



In summary, music’s role in human connection is profound and multifaceted. It evokes emotions, strengthens social bonds, unlocks memories, and expresses cultural identity. Its universal appeal lies in its ability to speak directly to the human spirit, making it a powerful tool for connection and understanding in an increasingly diverse world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2023.105670" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cognition</a>.



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Babies are born with the ability to recognize 'the beat' in music

Scientists from the University of Amsterdam have made a significant...

Laptop,Mobile,Leisure,Browsing,Concept

A comprehensive international study conducted by the <a href="https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford Internet Institute</a> has challenged the widespread assumption that the internet significantly harms mental health and psychological well-being. 



The research, encompassing data from over two million individuals across 168 countries, suggests only minor and inconsistent links between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-screen-time-changes-the-brain-based-on-23-years-of-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">internet use</a> and psychological distress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-and-the-internet">Mental health and the internet</h2>



Professor <a href="https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/people/profiles/andrew-przybylski/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andrew Przybylski</a> from the Oxford Internet Institute and Assistant Professor <a href="https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/people/profiles/matti-vuorre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matti Vuorre</a> of <a href="https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tilburg University</a>, along with their team, analyzed extensive data spanning two decades. They found only slight and inconsistent changes in global well-being and mental health. 



"We looked very hard for a ‘smoking gun’ linking technology and well-being and we didn’t find it," states Professor Przybylski.



The study is notable for its breadth, examining the largest dataset on well-being and<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/swedish-pediatricians-no-screen-time-for-children-under-two/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> internet adoption</a> to date. Professor Vuorre notes, "Although we couldn’t address causal effects of internet use, our descriptive results indicated small and inconsistent associations."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demographic-insights">Demographic insights</h2>



Contrary to common beliefs, the study found no specific demographic patterns among internet users, regardless of age or gender. Interestingly, for the average country, life satisfaction increased more for females over the period. Professor Przybylski asserts, "There is no evidence to support popular ideas that certain groups are more at risk."



The research team also explored the relationship between mobile broadband adoption and life satisfaction. They discovered a positive correlation, but the association was too insignificant to hold practical relevance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-call-for-transparency">Scientists call for transparency</h2>



The researchers emphasize the necessity for technology companies to share their data for more conclusive research. "Research on the effects of internet technologies is stalled because the data most urgently needed are collected and held behind closed doors by technology companies and online platforms," the study highlights.



The study involved contrasting data on well-being and mental health against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-effects-of-screen-time-offset-by-outdoor-play/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">internet and mobile</a> broadband usage. The assessment of well-being was conducted through face-to-face and phone surveys in native languages, while mental health data were derived from statistical estimates of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and self-harm from 2000 to 2019.



In summary, the Oxford Internet Institute's study presents a nuanced understanding of the relationship between internet use and psychological well-being. It challenges the narrative of the internet as a major negative influence on mental health, calling for more data transparency for comprehensive research in the future.



The full paper ‘<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21677026231207791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Well-Being and Mental Health in the Internet Age</a>’ was published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science.



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Study: The internet is not bad for your mental health

A comprehensive international study conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute...

A recent scientific discovery could be straight out of a science fiction novel. Researchers involved in the Telescope Array experiment have identified an extraordinarily energetic cosmic ray. <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Amaterasu_cosmic-ray_Credit-Osaka-Metropolitan-University_1medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This particle</a>, named “Amaterasu,” originated from outside our galaxy and boasts an energy level of approximately 240 exa-electron volts (EeV). 



Despite its remarkable detection, the analysis reveals that the direction from which this cosmic ray arrived does not align with any discernible source.



Cosmic rays are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-surges-of-cosmic-radiation-from-space-directly-linked-to-earthquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">not just particles</a> from space; they are energetic charged particles that come from both galactic and extragalactic sources. Among these, the extremely high-energy cosmic rays are particularly rare and fascinating. 



These rays can possess <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recent-gamma-ray-burst-was-70-times-brighter-than-any-cosmic-explosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy levels</a> greater than 10^18 electron volts (EeV), a figure that is about a million times higher than the energy achievable by the most powerful human-made accelerators. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-telescope-array-experiment">The Telescope Array experiment</h2>



Associate Professor Toshihiro Fujii is from the Graduate School of Science and <a href="https://www.nitep.osaka-cu.ac.jp/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nambu Yoichiro Institute</a> of Theoretical and Experimental Physics at <a href="https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osaka Metropolitan University</a>. Since 2008, Professor Fujii, alongside an international team, has been at the forefront of the <a href="https://www.telescopearray.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Telescope Array</a> experiment. 



This experiment involves a cosmic ray detector comprising 507 scintillator surface stations spread over an area of 700 square kilometers in Utah, United States. On May 27, 2021, this team made a groundbreaking discovery: they detected a particle with an energy level of 244 EeV.



“When I first discovered this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-detect-highest-energy-gamma-rays-ever-from-a-pulsar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ultra-high-energy</a> cosmic ray, I thought there must have been a mistake, as it showed an energy level unprecedented in the last 3 decades,” Professor Fujii remarked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-amaterasu-particle">The Amaterasu particle</h2>



This newly detected particle has been named "Amaterasu," after the sun goddess in Shinto religion, who is believed to have played a crucial role in the creation of Japan. 



The Amaterasu particle's energy level is comparable to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh-My-God_particle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Oh-My-God" particle</a>, which held the record for the most energetic cosmic ray with an estimated energy of 320 EeV when detected in 1991.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-amaterasu-particle">Significance of the Amaterasu particle</h2>



The discovery of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Amaterasu_cosmic-ray_Credit-Osaka-Metropolitan-University_1medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amaterasu particle</a> raises numerous questions: What is its origin? What type of particle is it? Unfortunately, these questions remain unanswered. 



As mentioned previously, no astronomical object corresponding to the direction from which the cosmic ray originated has been identified. This suggests the possibility of unknown astronomical phenomena or novel physical origins that extend beyond the current Standard Model of particle physics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research">Ongoing research</h2>



Professor Fujii and his team are committed to continuing their research with the Telescope Array experiment. They are also involved in an upgraded experiment, known as TAx4, which promises four times the sensitivity of the current setup. Along with next-generation observatories, these advancements will aid in a more detailed investigation into the source of this extremely energetic particle.



In summary, the Amaterasu particle not only challenges our understanding of cosmic rays but also opens the door to potentially revolutionary discoveries in astrophysics and particle physics. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of these high-energy particles, we may be on the verge of uncovering new aspects of our universe, far beyond what we currently comprehend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-cosmic-rays">More about cosmic rays</h2>



As discussed above, cosmic rays are high-energy particles that originate from outer space and travel at nearly the speed of light. They consist primarily of protons, atomic nuclei, and a small fraction of heavier elements, including electrons and positrons. These particles carry immense energy, often exceeding energies found in even the most powerful particle accelerators on Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-and-composition">Origins and composition</h3>



Cosmic rays originate from various sources in the universe, including the sun, distant stars, supernova explosions, and possibly even distant galaxies. The majority are atomic nuclei stripped of their electron shells, with protons (hydrogen nuclei) being the most common. Helium nuclei (alpha particles) and heavier nuclei like carbon, oxygen, and iron also constitute a significant portion.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interaction-with-earth-s-atmosphere">Interaction with Earth's atmosphere</h3>



Upon entering Earth's atmosphere, cosmic rays collide with atomic nuclei in the air, creating showers of secondary particles, including mesons, electrons, and photons. These secondary particles can sometimes be detected on the Earth's surface, providing valuable information about the primary cosmic rays.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance-of-cosmic-rays">Scientific significance of cosmic rays</h3>



Cosmic rays are of great scientific interest for several reasons. They provide insights into high-energy physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Studying cosmic rays helps scientists understand the fundamental forces and particles in the universe, the behavior of stars, and the interstellar medium. Additionally, cosmic rays are a key factor in the atmospheric chemistry of Earth and other planets.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-hazards">Potential hazards</h3>



Cosmic rays pose potential hazards to astronauts in space and high-altitude flights, as they can penetrate spacecraft and aircraft. Prolonged exposure to cosmic rays can lead to increased risks of cancer and other health issues. Understanding and mitigating these risks is crucial for future space exploration and aviation safety.



Cosmic rays are not only a fascinating subject of scientific study but also have practical implications for space travel and understanding the universe's fundamental properties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-oh-my-god-particle">More about the "Oh-my-God" particle</h2>



In the world of astrophysics, few discoveries stir as much excitement as the detection of extremely high-energy cosmic rays. Among these, the "Oh-My-God" particle, as mentioned above, stands out for its almost unimaginable energy levels.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-background-on-cosmic-rays">Background on cosmic rays</h3>



Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that travel through space, striking the Earth from all directions. Most originate from the sun or from outside our solar system, possibly even from distant galaxies. They consist primarily of protons or atomic nuclei, and their energy levels can vary widely.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery">Discovery</h3>



The "Oh-My-God" particle, named for its shockingly high energy, was first detected on the night of October 15, 1991. Researchers using the University of Utah's Fly's Eye Cosmic Ray Detector spotted this particle. Its energy was estimated to be around 320 exa-electron volts (EeV) - more than 50 million times greater than the highest energy achieved in any human-made particle accelerator at the time.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance">Significance</h3>



This particle's energy posed a significant challenge to scientists. It seemed to violate the so-called Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin (GZK) limit, a theoretical upper limit on the energy of cosmic rays from distant sources. 



This limit is based on interactions between cosmic rays and the cosmic microwave background radiation, which should theoretically sap these particles of their energy over long distances. The detection of the "Oh-My-God" particle suggested either a violation of this limit or indicated that it originated from a relatively close source in cosmic terms.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications">Implications</h3>



The discovery spurred intense research and debate within the astrophysics community. It raised questions about the sources of such high-energy particles and the mechanisms that could accelerate them to such extreme velocities. Understanding these processes is crucial for our broader comprehension of the universe, including the nature of galaxies, quasars, and black holes.



In summary, the "Oh-My-God" particle remains one of the most extreme examples of cosmic rays ever observed. Its detection has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the universe, challenging existing theories, and pushing the boundaries of astrophysics.



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Video Credit: Purdue University/ Erin Easterling