What are cosmic rays used for?

Answer 1

Cosmic ray: A ray of radiation of extraterrestrial origin, consisting of one or more charged particles such as protons, alpha particles, and larger atomic nuclei. Cosmic rays entering the atmosphere collide with atoms, producing secondary radiation, such as pions, muons, electrons, and gamma rays. Cosmic rays (and secondary radiation) can be easily seen in a cloud chamber.

(American Heritage Dictionary, 2005)

Answer 2

Cosmic rays are a type of radiation we experience that originates in outer space. The catch is that they really aren't "rays" as we know them, but are actually particulate radiation. They're little bits of matter that have been highly accelerated and come flying at us. Most (about 90%) of the "cosmic rays" are actually high energy protons. They could be thought of as hydrogen nuclei (H+). Another 9% are alpha particles, or helium nuclei (He++). That last 1% is composed of high energy electrons (e-). A lot of this material originates from the sun, but there are other sources. A link is provided to the Wikipedia article on cosmic rays. You'll find it below.

Answer 3

Cosmic rays aren't usually harnessed for useful purposes, in fact they are often a nuisance to electronics and particular for spacecraft outside the atmosphere, which require special hardening (shielding) against their effects. Some famous incidents in various space exploration projects have been tied to their adverse effects; and even land-based electronics often has considerations for failure rates caused by cosmic rays.

However, they remain an interesting subject of study, being currently of a somewhat mysterious origin, and in particular a deeper understanding of them will help shape our knowledge of the universe and its origins.

Answer 4

Cosmic rays are the nuclei of atoms that have been stripped of their electrons and fired at nearly the speed of light into space.

One example of how they are used:

Volcanologists use sensors on the sides of volcanoes to moniter the rays that pass through, resulting in a 3-D image of the inside of the volcano. They can use this data to predict how big a future eruption could be because it also maps out how large the magma chamber is.

Answer 5

Cosmic rays are high energy radiation from space which is particles of matter, traveling at great speeds. In that sense it would be safe to say they are both a form of radiation, and a form of matter. Initially they were thought to be electromagnetic radiation (photons) but upon further study it was found they were actually charged particles of matter, mostly protons (hydrogen nuclei), with some alpha particles (helium nuclei) and much smaller amounts of even heavier nuclei. When they arrive from space and strike Earth's atmosphere, the collisions can produce 'showers' of a variety of other particles of matter (secondary cosmic rays).

Answer 6

Cosmic rays, which are not electromagnetic radiation but rather high energy particles, mostly originate from outside the solar system. Their origin remains somewhat mysterious and is the subject of ongoing research. Supernovae have been shown to produce them, other sources seem to be processes occurring in or near active galactic nuclei or quasars. Other proposals include events which occurred during the big bang itself, mechanisms related to dark matter, and some processes related to stellar evolution.

When cosmic rays enter the atmosphere they collide with molecules and create other particles, referred to as secondary cosmic rays. The mechanisms for their creation are fairly well understood.

Answer 7

Some but not all Cosmic Rays come form the Sun. The very energetic ones are believed to have an extragalactic origin.

Answer 8

Cosmic rays are the nuclei of atoms that have been stripped of their electrons and fired at nearly the speed of light into space.