SALT LAKE CITY - A team of space scientists at the University of Utah has made a significant breakthrough in the study of cosmic rays, detecting an extremely rare, ultra-high-energy particle that is believed to have originated from beyond the Milky Way galaxy. This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Science, sheds light on the enigmatic origins of these powerful cosmic rays that constantly rain down on Earth.

The particle, referred to as the Amaterasu particle after the sun goddess in Japanese mythology, was identified by the futuristic Telescope Array in Utah's West Desert. With its 507 ping-pong table-size surface detectors spanning an area of 270 square miles, the observatory has been tracking cosmic rays since 2008. While it has observed over 30 ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in the past, none have been as powerful as the Amaterasu particle, which struck the Earth's atmosphere on May 27, 2021.

According to the study, the Amaterasu particle carries an energy equivalent to dropping a brick from waist height onto one's toe. Its energy level rivals that of the most energetic cosmic ray ever recorded, which was detected in 1991. Estimating the energy of the primary cosmic ray based on how many particles hit each detector, researchers calculated its energy to be approximately 244 exa-electron volts. For comparison, the energy of an electron in the polar aurora is typically around 40,000 electron volts.

These ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, millions of times more energetic than any human-made particle accelerator, are believed to have ties to the most intense phenomena in the universe, including black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and active galactic nuclei. Interestingly, the largest cosmic rays detected so far have seemingly originated from voids or empty spaces, where no violent celestial events have occurred.

Despite years of research, the exact sources of these high-energy particles remain a mystery. Coauthor of the study, John Matthews, explains that the trajectories of the two most energetic cosmic rays, including the recent Amaterasu particle, seem to lead to seemingly empty regions of space. This raises questions about where these powerful particles are coming from, as astronomers using visible telescopes have not identified any significant sources of cosmic activity in those regions.

Glennys Farrar, a professor of physics at New York University, explains that the origins of such ultra-high-energy particles require the exceptional conditions of very high magnetic fields, akin to a super-sized version of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). These sources are extremely rare, and the chances of one of these particles reaching Earth are minuscule.

While the atmosphere protects us from the harmful effects of cosmic rays, it is worth noting that these particles can cause disruptions in computer systems. For astronauts, who lack the protective shield of Earth's atmosphere, cosmic rays and space radiation pose greater risks, potentially damaging DNA and altering cellular processes.

The discovery of the Amaterasu particle opens up new avenues for further research. The University of Utah plans to expand the Telescope Array with an additional 500 detectors, enabling the observatory to study cosmic ray-induced particle showers across 1,120 square miles. Scientists hope that this expansion will provide more insights into the origins and nature of these ultra-high-energy particles, ultimately unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

In conclusion, the recent detection of the Amaterasu particle provides a rare glimpse into the origins of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays from beyond the Milky Way. As scientists delve deeper into this fascinating field, the expansion of the Telescope Array offers promising prospects for unraveling the secrets of these elusive and powerful particles.