cosmic rays
Extraterrestrial radiation bombardment
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles—mostly protons and atomic nuclei—that travel through space at nearly the speed of light.
They originate from the sun, distant stars, and violent cosmic events like supernovae.
When cosmic rays strike Earth's atmosphere, they create showers of secondary particles.
Scientists study them to understand astrophysical phenomena and the origins of the universe.
Positive nuclear particles
- nucleiCentral parts of atoms
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- electronsNegative charges in atoms
- positronsAntimatter counterparts of electrons
muons · neutrinos · antiprotons · cascade · subatomic · primaries · secondaries · fragmentation
Exploding massive star
- pulsarsRotating stars emitting radiation
- quasarsExtremely luminous galactic centers
- black holesRegions of inescapable gravity
- interstellarBetween celestial bodies
galactic · universe · solar wind · magnetosphere · heliosphere · extraterrestrial · solar flares · Milky Way
Contact with ionizing energy
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- cancer riskChance of malignancy developing
Marked by intense activity
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- fluxContinuous change or flow
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- power lawMathematical relationship with exponents
energy distribution · relativistic · kinetic energy · energetic · intensity · modulation
Ionizing radiation detector
- cloud chamberRadiation visualization apparatus
- ionizationCharge acquisition process
- emulsionBlended immiscible liquids
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
protons
Positive nuclear particles
- nucleiCentral parts of atoms
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- electronsNegative charges in atoms
positrons · muons · neutrinos · antiprotons · cascade · subatomic · primaries · secondaries · fragmentation · charge
supernova
Exploding massive star
- pulsarsRotating stars emitting radiation
- quasarsExtremely luminous galactic centers
- black holesRegions of inescapable gravity
interstellar · galactic · universe · solar wind · magnetosphere · heliosphere · extraterrestrial · solar flares · Milky Way · deep space
radiation exposure
Contact with ionizing energy
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- shieldingProtecting from harm
high-energy
Marked by intense activity
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- fluxContinuous change or flow
- accelerationRate velocity changes
power law · energy distribution · relativistic · kinetic energy · energetic · intensity · modulation
Geiger counter
Ionizing radiation detector
- cloud chamberRadiation visualization apparatus
- ionizationCharge acquisition process
- emulsionBlended immiscible liquids
- nuclear radiationradiation exposure, radiation poisoning, radioactive isotopes, fallout, nuclear meltdown
- radiobiologyradiobiology, DNA damage, mutations, ionizing radiation, cell damage
- cosmosuniverse, galaxies, galaxy, stars, star
- outer spacesun, moon, planet, star system, solar system
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- spacespace, sun, moon, stars, star
cosmic rayssolar wind
Continuous stellar particle emission
solar radiation · background radiation · radioactive decay · nuclear fallout · nuclear radiation
cosmic rayselectromagnetic radiation
Wave-propagating energy through space
visible light · radio waves · gamma rays · X-rays · infrared radiation
ray, rays, cosmos, cosmic, cosmology, macrocosm, microcosm, cosmic dust, cosmologist