Dampe telescope reveals universal pattern in cosmic rays

May 14, 2026

Ti AI ṣe iroyin

Researchers using the DAMPE space telescope have identified a shared spectral softening in cosmic rays across multiple particle types. The pattern appears at a rigidity of about 15 teraelectron-volts for protons through iron nuclei. This finding, published in Nature, offers new insight into how these high-energy particles behave in the galaxy.

For more than a century, scientists have studied cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in nature. Data from the DAMPE mission, launched in December 2015, now show that the number of these particles drops sharply beyond a common rigidity threshold. The effect holds for protons, helium, carbon, oxygen, and iron nuclei alike.

Awọn iroyin ti o ni ibatan

Ultraheavy nuclei may explain Amaterasu particle origin

New research suggests the Amaterasu particle, one of the most energetic cosmic rays detected, could be an ultraheavy atomic nucleus rather than a proton. The findings, from scientists at Penn State, were published in Physical Review Letters. They indicate such nuclei could retain extreme energy over vast distances in space.

New model proposes dark matter made of two particles to explain Milky Way gamma-ray excess

April 10, 2026 Ti AI ṣe iroyin

Building on prior detections of gamma-ray emissions from the Milky Way's center, physicists led by Gordan Krnjaic at Fermilab propose dark matter consists of two distinct particles that interact to produce detectable signals. This resolves the puzzle of signals in the Milky Way but none in dark-matter-rich dwarf galaxies, as observed by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

Science

Possible dark matter hint detected in gravitational wave

Science

Astronomers detect possible first 'dirty fireball' from dying star

Science

Physicists observe evidence of exotic η′-mesic nucleus

Particles emerge from vacuum in proton collisions for first time

Physicists with the STAR collaboration have observed particles emerging directly from empty space during high-energy proton collisions at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The experiment provides strong evidence that mass can arise from vacuum fluctuations, as predicted by quantum chromodynamics. Quark-antiquark pairs promoted to real particles retained spin correlations tracing back to the vacuum.

Antarctic ice reveals earth passing through supernova debris

May 14, 2026 Ti AI ṣe iroyin

Scientists have detected traces of iron-60 in Antarctic ice up to 80,000 years old, showing that the solar system is moving through material from an ancient stellar explosion. The findings come from a study published in Physical Review Letters and point to the Local Interstellar Cloud as the source of the radioactive isotope.

Science