Cosmic rays are primarily composed of protons, despite some misconceptions suggesting they are neutrinos. The discussion references a New York Times article that inaccurately describes cosmic rays as neutrinos, highlighting the need for precise terminology in scientific discourse. The IceCube Neutrino Observatory successfully identified a neutrino in 2017, which originated from a supermassive black hole, marking a significant advancement in understanding cosmic rays. The distinction between protons and neutrinos is crucial, as protons are absorbed by the atmosphere, while neutrinos can penetrate through it, making underwater detection methods effective.
PREREQUISITESAstrophysicists, science communicators, educators, and anyone interested in the nuances of cosmic ray research and neutrino physics.
Using a grid of light detectors similar to the Baikal telescope, IceCube identified a neutrino in 2017 that scientists said almost certainly came from a supermassive black hole. It was the first time that scientists had pinpointed a source of the rain of high-energy particles from space known as cosmic rays ...
swampwiz said:I had thought that cosmic rays were protons