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Cosmic Rays

All articles tagged with #cosmic rays

Cosmic-ray “cavity” between Earth and Moon could reshape lunar missions
space16 days ago

Cosmic-ray “cavity” between Earth and Moon could reshape lunar missions

A study using data from China’s Chang’e-4 lander identifies a region of reduced galactic cosmic-ray radiation in Earth–Moon space—a cavity that appears during the Moon’s local morning. The lower-energy protons drop by about 20% in this window, likely caused by Earth’s magnetosphere extending farther than previously thought. If confirmed, this timing could help plan safer lunar surface operations for upcoming missions (including Artemis II) by reducing astronauts’ radiation exposure. The findings are published in Science Advances (2026).

via Live Science|
#cosmic-rays#lunar-exploration#radiation-safety
Earth's Hidden Magnetic Cavity Shields Moon From Cosmic Rays
science16 days ago

Earth's Hidden Magnetic Cavity Shields Moon From Cosmic Rays

A Science Advances study using Chang’e-4 data and NASA’s LRO observations finds that Earth’s magnetosphere forms an extended “cavity” that provides extra shielding for the Moon, reducing lunar surface radiation by about 20% during certain orbital phases—specifically in a pre-noon geometry—even when the Moon is outside the magnetosphere. The effect, mainly affecting low-energy ions that contribute to skin dose, was observed across 31 lunar cycles and could inform radiation protection for future missions, such as Artemis.

via Gizmodo|
#change-4#cosmic-rays#magnetosphere
JWST Discovers Hidden Galactic Cores as Cosmic Organic Molecule Factories
astronomy1 month ago

JWST Discovers Hidden Galactic Cores as Cosmic Organic Molecule Factories

JWST spectroscopic data of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 07251-0248 reveal a rich mix of small organic molecules (benzene, methane, acetylene, diacetylene, triacetylene) and solid carbon-rich grains in its buried nucleus, along with the first outside-the Milky Way detection of the methyl radical CH3. The chemistry appears driven by cosmic rays fragmenting carbonaceous materials and PAHs, producing a diverse organic inventory far exceeding models’ predictions. This implies deeply obscured galactic nuclei can act as factories of organic molecules, with potential implications for prebiotic chemistry and galactic chemical evolution. Findings published in Nature Astronomy showcase JWST’s power to probe extreme, dust-shrouded environments.

via SciTechDaily|
#astrochemistry#astronomy#cosmic-rays
JWST Detects Rich Organic Chemistry in a Distant Galaxy
astronomy2 months ago

JWST Detects Rich Organic Chemistry in a Distant Galaxy

The James Webb Space Telescope unveils a surprisingly rich set of organic molecules in IRAS 07251–0248, an ultra-luminous infrared galaxy about 10+ billion light-years away. Detected molecules include methane, acetylene, benzene, and the methyl radical, indicating a complex chemical network far exceeding current models and potentially driven by cosmic rays that fragment larger carbon-rich grains into smaller organics. This suggests distant galactic nuclei can be ongoing sources of carbon for prebiotic chemistry, offering new insights into the origins of life and showcasing JWST’s power to study chemical evolution in the early universe.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#astrobiology#astronomy#cosmic-rays
Earth's Ancient Magnetic Flip Reimagined as Haunting Audio
science2 months ago

Earth's Ancient Magnetic Flip Reimagined as Haunting Audio

Scientists used ESA’s Swarm satellite data to turn the 41,000-year-old Laschamps magnetic reversal into an eerie audio track, illustrating a dramatic field flip when the magnetosphere weakened by roughly 5–25% of its current strength over about 250 years and remained abnormally oriented for around 440 years. The event increased cosmic-ray exposure, leaving isotopic fingerprints like higher beryllium-10 and potentially impacting climate and megafauna; ongoing Swarm measurements aim to better predict future geomagnetic fluctuations.

via ScienceAlert|
#cosmic-rays#geomagnetism#laschamps-event
Scientists Race to Uncover Dark Matter's Hidden Nature
science3 months ago

Scientists Race to Uncover Dark Matter's Hidden Nature

Scientists are exploring the nature of dark matter, which makes up about 85% of the universe's matter, by studying galaxy clusters with NASA's XRISM telescope. They are particularly interested in detecting signals from hypothetical particles called sterile neutrinos, which could decay and produce observable X-ray emissions, potentially revealing the particles that constitute dark matter.

via Space|
#cosmic-rays#dark-matter#galaxy-clusters
Enhancing Cosmic Ray Shielding for Mars Missions
science3 months ago

Enhancing Cosmic Ray Shielding for Mars Missions

Cosmic rays pose a significant challenge for human space travel beyond Earth, especially to Mars, due to their damaging effects on living organisms and equipment. Current physical shields are insufficient against high-energy cosmic rays, prompting research into biological protection methods such as antioxidants, hibernation-like states, and leveraging organisms like tardigrades. Advances in simulation and accelerator technology, along with increased research investment, are crucial for developing effective protection strategies to enable safe long-duration space missions.

via Space|
#biological-strategies#cosmic-rays#mars
NASA Balloon Finds Unusual Signals in Antarctic Ice
science5 months ago

NASA Balloon Finds Unusual Signals in Antarctic Ice

NASA's ANITA balloon experiment detected mysterious upward-moving radio signals from beneath Antarctica's ice, initially suggesting potential new particles or physics, but further analysis indicates these signals are unlikely to be neutrinos, leaving the anomaly unexplained. Researchers are developing more advanced detectors like PUEO to better understand these phenomena.

via SciTechDaily|
#anita#antarctica#cosmic-rays