Amaterasu and GRB221009A: A Comparison of Cosmic Rays and Gamma Ray Bursts

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SUMMARY

The Amaterasu cosmic ray is not a gamma ray or a gamma-ray burst but an extremely high-energy single particle, possibly a proton, with an energy measurement of 244 exa-electron volts. In contrast, GRB221009A, an energetic stellar collapse event, emitted approximately 18 tera-electron volts and lasted several minutes, producing over 5,000 high-energy photons. The two phenomena are fundamentally different, as primary cosmic rays are protons or nuclei, not photons. The acceleration mechanisms for ultra-high energy cosmic rays remain poorly understood, and there is no established relationship between Amaterasu and GRB221009A.

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TL;DR
Can this "Amaterasu" particle and GRB221009A be compared against each other? The former is always noted as a gamma ray (singular), nowhere have I read it being referred to as a gammy-ray burst, however.
Can this Amaterasu particle and GRB221009A be compared against each other? The former is always noted as a gamma ray (singular), nowhere have I read it being referred to as a gammy-ray burst, however. Does this mean scientists have detected this one lone gamma ray and only one?

[Edit/Update: I just reread an article and noticed it said "cosmic" ray, not "gamma" ray. So I guess this nullifies my questions posted?]

They say that Amaterasu gave off energy equaling 244 exa-electron volts. Doesn't that beat out GRB221009A, which was about 18 tera-electron volts? Please correct my misunderstood interpretation.
 
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I'm not sure what the total energy of GRB221009A ended up being, as it was a gamma ray burst lasting several minutes at its peak with over 5,000 high energy photons detected. So it could go either way I suppose.
 
paulalex7000 said:
TL;DR Summary: Can this "Amaterasu" particle and GRB221009A be compared against each other? The former is always noted as a gamma ray (singular), nowhere have I read it being referred to as a gammy-ray burst, however.

Can this Amaterasu particle and GRB221009A be compared against each other? The former is always noted as a gamma ray (singular), nowhere have I read it being referred to as a gammy-ray burst, however. Does this mean scientists have detected this one lone gamma ray and only one?

[Edit/Update: I just reread an article and noticed it said "cosmic" ray, not "gamma" ray. So I guess this nullifies my questions posted?]

They say that Amaterasu gave off energy equaling 244 exa-electron volts. Doesn't that beat out GRB221009A, which was about 18 tera-electron volts? Please correct my misunderstood interpretation.

The Amaterasu cosmic ray was not a gamma ray burst or even a gamma ray at all. It was an extremely high energy single particle of origin unknown. Maybe a proton.

The GRB221009 event was an extremely energetic collapse of a star.
 
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Using cutsie-poo names is unnecessary, and does not add to one's credibility. Science popularizers and university press offices might not know any better, but we should. We can just call them ultra-high energy cosmic rays.

Some facts:
1. It is known that these are extremely energetic. Are the energy measurements accurate at these energies? Hard to tell. You don't have an independent calibration, and you are plagued by statistical fluctuations.
2. Primary cosmic rays are not photons/gamma rays. They are protons or nuclei.
3. Charged particles bend in magnetic fields: the directiopn where the particle appears to come from is not the direction of the source.
4. The acceleration process for ultra-high energy cosmic rays is poorly understood. It is likely electromagnetic. Thus, it may be easier to accelerate these particles if they are fully-stripped nuclei, such as iron.None of these suggest a relationship with any GRB.
 
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I guess that's on me... I'm not part of any academia, just a layperson who has an interest in cosmology, but from a civilian viewpoint.
 
paulalex7000 said:
I guess that's on me... I'm not part of any academia, just a layperson who has an interest in cosmology, but from a civilian viewpoint.
No fault on you. We're just quite... thorough... around these parts. :wink:
 
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