OMG Particle: the Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray
by Owen Borville
July 16, 2024
Astronomy
The OMG Particle is an ultra-high energy cosmic ray detected on October 15, 1991 by the University of Utah detector observatory.
As of 2024, it is the highest energy cosmic ray ever observed (at 320 EeV)
The observed energy strength of this cosmic ray was unusually high and called into question established theories of the origin and movement of cosmic rays.
The OMG Particle, which is an ultra-high energy cosmic ray, is a single proton particle.
Cosmic rays are particles from outer space that travel across the universe and are created by the sun in our solar system, such as solar flares, from other solar systems, by other stars in our galaxy and other galaxies, by exploding stars or stars at various stages of transformation, and black holes.
Cosmic rays move extremely fast, near the speed of light, however, they are mostly blocked by the Earth's atmosphere and are therefore not harmful to humans.
Upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, these cosmic rays produce showers of secondary particles, some of which reach the surface, but most are deflected back into space by the magnetosphere or the heliosphere, providing a protective layer from these otherwise harmful rays of radiation.
Cosmic rays are mostly high energy protons, or nuclei of hydrogen (89 percent). Ten percent are nuclei of helium, and one percent of many heavier nuclei up to uranium. (cern)
Cosmic rays were discovered by Victor Hess in 1912 during balloon experiments, for which he was awarded the 1936 Nobel Prize in physics.
However, the origin of OMG particles remain a mystery, as they are much more intense than most cosmic rays.
Since the observation of the OMG in 1991, there have been a few other cosmic rays observed in the universe with an ultra-high energy like the OMG, or within the range of the OMG, proving that the observation of the OMG was real and not a miscalculation.
by Owen Borville
July 16, 2024
Astronomy
The OMG Particle is an ultra-high energy cosmic ray detected on October 15, 1991 by the University of Utah detector observatory.
As of 2024, it is the highest energy cosmic ray ever observed (at 320 EeV)
The observed energy strength of this cosmic ray was unusually high and called into question established theories of the origin and movement of cosmic rays.
The OMG Particle, which is an ultra-high energy cosmic ray, is a single proton particle.
Cosmic rays are particles from outer space that travel across the universe and are created by the sun in our solar system, such as solar flares, from other solar systems, by other stars in our galaxy and other galaxies, by exploding stars or stars at various stages of transformation, and black holes.
Cosmic rays move extremely fast, near the speed of light, however, they are mostly blocked by the Earth's atmosphere and are therefore not harmful to humans.
Upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, these cosmic rays produce showers of secondary particles, some of which reach the surface, but most are deflected back into space by the magnetosphere or the heliosphere, providing a protective layer from these otherwise harmful rays of radiation.
Cosmic rays are mostly high energy protons, or nuclei of hydrogen (89 percent). Ten percent are nuclei of helium, and one percent of many heavier nuclei up to uranium. (cern)
Cosmic rays were discovered by Victor Hess in 1912 during balloon experiments, for which he was awarded the 1936 Nobel Prize in physics.
However, the origin of OMG particles remain a mystery, as they are much more intense than most cosmic rays.
Since the observation of the OMG in 1991, there have been a few other cosmic rays observed in the universe with an ultra-high energy like the OMG, or within the range of the OMG, proving that the observation of the OMG was real and not a miscalculation.