Sources of Earth-Bombarding Cosmic Rays May Have Been Located
Written by Nancy Atkinson
The cosmic ray hot spots were identified in the two red-colored regions near the constellation Orion. Courtesy John Pretz, LANL
Last week's announcement of a puzzling and unknown source of high energy cosmic rays bombarding the Earth is now joined by another discovery of two sources of unexpected cosmic rays from nearby regions of space. A Los Alamos National Laboratory cosmic-ray observatory has seen for the first time two distinct hot spots that appear to be bombarding Earth with an excess of cosmic rays. "These two results may be due to the same, or different, astrophysical phenomenon, said Jordan Goodman, principal investigator for the Milagro observatory, commenting on last week's announcement by the ATIC experiment and the new discovery by his team. "However, they both suggest the presence of high-energy particle acceleration in the vicinity of the earth. Our new findings point to general locations for the localized excesses of cosmic-ray protons." The cosmic rays appear to originate from an area in the sky near the constellation Orion.
Researchers used Los Alamos’ Milagro cosmic-ray observatory to peer into the sky above the northern hemisphere for nearly seven years starting in July 2000. The observatory is unique in that it monitors the entire sky above the northern hemisphere. Because of its design and field of view, Milagro was able to record over 200 billion cosmic-ray collisions with the Earth’s atmosphere.
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that move through our Galaxy from sources far away. No one knows exactly where cosmic rays come from, but scientists theorize they might originate from supernovae—massive stars that explode— from quasars or perhaps from other exotic, less-understood or yet-to-be-discovered sources within the universe.
“Our observatory is unique in that we can detect events of low enough energies that we were able to record enough cosmic-ray encounters to see a statistically significant fractional excess coming from two distinct regions of the sky,” said collaborator Brenda Dingus.
Because Milagro was able to record so many cosmic-ray events, researchers for the first time were able to see statistical peaks in the number of cosmic-ray events originating from specific regions of the sky near the constellation Orion. The region with the highest hot spot of cosmic rays is a concentrated bulls eye above and to the right visually of Orion, near the constellation Taurus. The other hot spot is a comma-shaped region visually occurring near the constellation Gemini.
But the researchers cannot be sure they have precisely located the sources of the cosmic rays. "Whatever the source of the protons we observed with Milagro, their path to Earth is deflected by the magnetic field of the Milky Way so that we cannot directly tell exactly where they originate," said Goodman. "And whether the regions of excess seen by Milagro actually point to a source of cosmic rays, or are the result of some other unknown nearby effect is an important question raised by our observations."
A new, second-generation cosmic ray observatory has been proposed, which may be able to solve the mystery of the origin of cosmic rays. The experiment, named the High Altitude Water Cherenkov experiment (HAWC), would be built at a high-altitude site in Mexico.
Sources: UMD, Science Daily
Filed under: Astronomy, Observatories
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November 24th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
In regard to alien species trying to contact us, scientist say that they may not be able to recognize messages from outer space because we may not be advanced enough yet. Therefore, how do we know for sure that these bombardments of our atmosphere are not signals from another planet?
November 24th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Well, high-energy particle beams wouldn't be a very friendly way to communicate. That would be sort of like firing a gun at someone to get their attention.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
As long as the gun is not at us but at our skies…i guess thats ok!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
The Los Alamos page:
http://www.lanl.gov/news/index.php/fuseaction/home.story/story_id/15130
November 24th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
dear universe,
thanks for the additional mystery. we will add it to the pile.
sincerely,
earthlings
November 24th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
The Orions belt stars are some 800 light years away. An alien signal would have left long before we developed a capacity to recieve radio.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
or cosmic ray transmissions for that matter
November 24th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
The source in Taurus… Aldebaran… The Hyades…
Iä! Iä!
Carcosa!!
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.
Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies,
But stranger still is
Lost Carcosa.
Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in
Dim Carcosa.
Song of my soul, my voice is dead,
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
—"Cassilda's Song" in The King in Yellow Act 1, Scene 2, by Robert W. Chambers
Sorry, but if other people speculate about aliens communicating via hypergigantic particle accelerators, I can let a bit of Mythos magic flow.
November 24th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Oddly enough, shooting a gun at someone would get their attention. Especially if you had no other tool at your disposal.
Radio is a very poor way to communicate between planets, much less stars. Lasers also have their limitations. Radiation may work and, used right, you're not outputting enough to kill (since its negligible compared to the parent star).
Still not very efficient tho.
My pet theory is that space/time may have a few caveats that would be exploited by an advanced society. It might even be possible that the speed of light does not work the way we believe it does under relativity.
Signals could be zipping right under our nose and, even if we know how, we may still end up none the wiser as to whats being said if anything.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Well, the energy needed to create such a patch of cosmic rays is utterly tremendous, and, I should think, far beyond any civilization which would not yet have been clearly visible from all kinds of radiation leakage anyway.
Anything that is able to produce such power should rate at least 2.5, if not 3 on the Kardashev scale (seeing that a single sun-type star can impossibly accelerate such amounts of cosmic rays.)
I think something like that would be extremely inefficient for communications.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Pluto here, you puny earthlings thought you could get away with downgrading us didn't you? Well EAT COSMIC RAYS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I have a (two?) question about the sentence: <>
I suppose that “in the vicinity of the earth” means in the vicinity of our Solar System, is it?
How far could possibly be these cosmic ray sources? Like a near star? Or a lot more far away?
I hope there’s someone who could possibly answer to my questions. Thanks so much in advance, and please, be patient with my poor English.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
In my last comment the quoted sentence is disappeared, I try again to past it, without double quotes:
However, they both (the two sources of cosmic rays discoved from nearby regions of space) suggest the presence of high-energy particle acceleration in the vicinity of the earth.
That's it, sorry.
November 24th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I bet this coincides with the reduction in bow shock we are experiencing from the Sun. Just a hunch mind you.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Meh, global warming anyone ?
November 25th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Barbara Says:
November 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I have a (two?) question about the sentence:
I suppose that “in the vicinity of the earth” means in the vicinity of our Solar System, is it?
How far could possibly be these cosmic ray sources? Like a near star? Or a lot more far away?
I hope there’s someone who could possibly answer to my questions. Thanks so much in advance, and please, be patient with my poor English.
@Barbara
According to the first story, the source is supposed to be within a kiloparsec – which is approximately 3260 lightyears. The nearest star to us is slightly more than 4 lightyears away. Until an exact location can be better pinpointed, a definitive source for the cosmic rays remains in the realm of speculation.
November 25th, 2008 at 2:30 am
maybe its morse signals
November 25th, 2008 at 2:38 am
What would be the consequences for life in the very vicinity of these sources? Would the life on Earth be extinct if our planet was located there?
November 25th, 2008 at 4:20 am
What about an unusually small black hole(s)? It could be a binaryeven closer than we think.
November 25th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I agree with the black hole idea.
If the black hole was small and inactive, how would we even know how to detect it?
November 25th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I'll take my Celestron G8 out tonight and look for it.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:49 am
When I punched in the supposed coordinates of a "red dwarf" near or in the Solar System on wikisky, it put me somewhere in the Orion constellation. Any chance that the coordinates are true and there may be a connection?
November 25th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Wow. Ya all actually wrote a story without a whole lotta bullshit speculation! Turnin' over a new leaf?
November 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Jordan Goodman may be a very good scientist, but he doesn't seem to know much about press releases. I love these two quotes:
"These two results may be due to the same, or different, astrophysical phenomenon…" and
"Whatever the source of the protons we observed with Milagro, their path to Earth is deflected by the magnetic field of the Milky Way so that we cannot directly tell exactly where they originate." Not exactly statements full of precision.
Perhaps a better way to put this would have been that we have found a source of cosmic rays hitting Earth. We are now trying to determine if this is related to the unknown source that was recently discovered. While the rays appear to originate from two points in the direction of the constellation Gemini, due to the Milky Way's magnetic field we will have to conduct more analysis to determine the correct point source.
As Dr. Goodman phrased it, it makes him sound bad to a layman. Remember, layman may not work in the business, but they due ultimately fund it.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:28 am
the area seems near the ecliptic
November 25th, 2008 at 11:49 am
The source is obvious, and was pointed out years ago:
=
"Attack ships on fire, off the shoulder of Orion…"
Roy Batty, replicant.
(And could the Gemini source = Tannhauser Gate?)
November 26th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I am supporter of Planet X idea. My calculations, show that X-Nibiru is quite close, X is approaching perihelia-2012. So X must be now circa 1,8billion km from us, little more than Saturn. If X is somewhat like small neutron star or micro black hole or core of destroyed brown star,….so X can radiate gama rays,..from fumes, particles sucked from matter which is going arriving X trought. My calculations, but also many ancient writings, maps, …say that X should come from direction Orion.
When we look at motion of planets on sky, especially of Saturn, Uranus, what are circa in the same distance how X should be, so their relative motion on sky due to their orbital motion and due to orbital motion of Earth is circa one/two constellation within one year on Earth. Why are there two main areas where Gama rays come from? Earth is twice traveling on its orbit in direction what is approx. parallel with direction of arrival of X and twice perpendicular on that direction, so we have two places, when those gama, X rays appearantly are,…when Earth is moving circa parallel with X,…hamops1.szm.sk,…and other over there mentioned webs
November 26th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Dear Dr. Kaku
Apropos an article ‘Looking for a higher theory of everything’ Interaction: Michio Kaku published in Times of India, New Delhi on seventh June 2008 at page number fourteen. I have written following two papers which may lead to the realisation for a higher theory of everything:
(i) Gravitation Force is the Ultimate Creator,
(1st Int. Conf. on Revival of Traditional Yoga, Lonavla Yoga Institute, Lonavla, January, 2006)
(ii) In Scientific Terminology, Source of Gravitational Wave is God
(2nd World Congress on Vedic Science, BHU, Varanasi, Feb 2007)
I have presented these two papers at the two different International Conferences. I am now submitting some views for being considered for Unified Field Theory
From Scriptures:
The Current which manifested in the beginning of the creation is the Current of Sabda (Sound) and of Chaitanya (Consciousness). From whom that Current issued forth is known as Soami (Supreme Being). This Current, by turning back can merge again in the Holy Feet of Supreme Being. The entire creation manifested from this current and is sustained with its energy and when the Current of the Holy Feet is withdrawn, the creation ceases to exist.This Current of the Holy Feet is the Reservoir of all energy, tastes and pleasures, knowledge, skill, shapes, forces and light etc. etc. and of the entire creation, is also the Creator of all of them.
From Science:
Gravitation Force is the cause of manifestation of the creation (birth of planets, stars), its sustenance and when it is withdrawn towards centre or source the entire creation ceases to exist. Photons have originated from gravitons. In black holes photons merge into gravitons. In Black Holes, Gravitational Force is so high that it does not allow even light to escape. What does it mean then? It simply means that the gravitational force at black-holes attracts light towards it with much greater velocity than the speed of light. In fact, all forces including electromagnetic force, material force (strong and weak nuclear force) all merge into gravitational force in black-holes and becomes one force there and when the creational process starts again from a Black-Hole all the forces appear (manifest) again and descends downwards to create billions of stars, planets, satellite, asteroids and various life forms.
Hence it can be assumed that the Current of Chaitanya (Consciousness) and Gravitational Wave are the two names of the same Supreme Essence (Seed) which has brought forth the entire creation.
Anirudh Kumar Satsangi,
All cosmological researches should be conducted keeping in view of the following philosophical facts:
It has been stated in Bible (John I-1) “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,”
The Radhasoami Religion also tells that, the ‘Word’ mentioned above is in fact Current of Sound or Current of Consciousness or Prime Current of Spirituality which was issued forth from its Source, or Creator or God. This Current has later on produced light and other forces. The scientists are discussing these days about dark energy which constitute about 96% of the entire universe which is not known to us. Only 4% part of the universe is known to us by all scientific means. In fact this 96% invisible portion of the universe is the vast expanse of spirituality which can be designated as field of gravitational waves in scientific terms. Visible portion of the universe (4%) consists of consciousness (gravitational force), mental force (electromagnetic waves) and material force (strong and weak nuclear force).
Body = Nuclear Force (weak as well as strong)
Mind = Electromagnetic Force.
Consciousness = Gravitation Force.
According to Radhasoami Religion the whole Universe can be sub-divided into three grand divisions viz.
1. Region of Pure Spirituality
2. Region of Subtle Maya
3. Region of Gross Maya
Nuclear forces dominate Region of Gross Maya (Gross Material Region), Electro-magnetic forces dominate Region of Subtle Maya (Subtle Material Region) and Gravitational Force dominates Pure Spiritual Region.
This is the only Truth which can be verified scientifically and can be termed as ‘higher theory for everything’. This also supports the statement of Sir Sahabji Maharaj the goal of science – Truth; the goal of philosophy – Ultimate Reality; and the goal of religion – God are the three names of same supreme essence.
1. Many things are common between Current of Consciousness and Gravitational Wave.
1. Current of consciousness can not be seen by any means and gravitational wave can also not be seen.
2. Current of consciousness is the weakest force on earth. Its strength goes on increasing on higher regions. Gravitational force is also very weak on earth and strong on Sun and even more stronger on black holes.
3 Tendency of both current of consciousness and gravitational waves are towards their source or centre.
4. Current of consciousness and gravitational force are both regarded as the creater of all the celestial and terrestrial bodies of the whole universe. They are also sustainer of these and when they turn back towards their source or centre the whole universe will collapse.
Hence it can be assumed that the source of current of consciousness and gravitational wave is the same i.e. God or ultimate creator.
This theory is based on scientific deduction. All other theories appear to be work of imaginative thinking and sometimes do not satisfy the criteria of scientific verification. In scientific terms it can be said that the ‘gravitons’ are the elementary
particle which was issued forth in the beginning of the creation accompanying with sound ‘Radha’
Prime Spiritual Currend = Gravitational Rays = Cosmic Rays
Do you agree with this?
Anirudh Kumar Satsangi
B.Sc., M.A. (Psychology), B.Ed., Adv. Dip. in Mgt.
P.A. To Director
Dayalbagh Educational Institute
(Deemed University)
Dayalbagh, Agra-282005
November 26th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Those two areas, where are cosmic rays comming from is close to plane of ecliptic! I don't think that deflection by Milky way is responsible for two point projection of one object. I think, that that one object is moving in our solar system and we see it's appearant motion on sky, similar how it is with appearant motion of planets (Uranus and Saturn are the most suitable example in this case, because similar distance from us). There are too many direct or indirect proof for existence of planet X. This discovery is one of them!?
November 26th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Mysteries are wonderful, the unexplained always inspires such great imagination. Perhaps our imagination is the greatest Muse of all. Brahma would be proud.
On the positive side of things the next three years will give a multitude of people something to believe in. I for one hope that the Death planet is currently being attacked by some X wing fighters.
Such speculative faith never hurts much, except maybe if your being burnt alive at the stake for having an opposing opinion)
On a more tangible side, I am wondering about the wording of the article / discovery. It suggests that the (our planet) is being bombarded, (as if it was on purpose or with intent)
I'm inclined to believe the (intent) behind the wording is attention grabbing, but the reality is somewhat akin to saying that the light from say, Eta Carinae has been purposefully attacking us by shining in the night sky?
Anyone care to follow up?
Damian
December 5th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Hi Dr. Pavel Smutny, I tried to write you but you have maybe changed email account. can you write me at misteria@misteria.org ? I have something important to ask you.
Daniela Bortoluzzi
http://www.misteria.org
December 8th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Maybe the best detectors of cosmic rays, of high accelerated protons, of cores of atoms were naked eyes of people, priests,..inside of chambers in big pyramids in Gisa. They were able to trace, watch places,..sources of cosmic rays trought narrow shafts. Shafts are insulated by enermnous masses of stone blocks, so they, those watchers,.. were protected from cosmic rays bombing from other directions,…so maybe with so called primitive technologies it was possible to find what is difficult to find even now, to find approaching Nibiru, that heavy superdensty body reponsible for floods, global changes,…on Earth
April 10th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Planet X could be detectable around spring equinoqes, this month, close to Aldebaran,….
April 10th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Planet X,….. could be detectable around spring equinoqes, this month, close to Aldebaran,…take in account results of Los Alamos Milagro cosmic rays survay,…
Pavel Smutny