Ultra-high-energy cosmic ray ≠ collision of 2 'normal' rays?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the distinction between normal cosmic rays, which typically possess energies around 109 eV, and ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) that range from 1019 eV to 1020 eV. A participant questioned whether UHECRs could result from collisions between two normal cosmic rays, but it was clarified that the energy difference is not merely double; UHECRs are 10 to 100 billion times more energetic. The conversation emphasizes the rarity of such high-energy events and the significant energy release from normal cosmic ray collisions.

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Michel_vdg
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Hi,


I have a rather basic question: most 'cosmic rays' have an energy of about 109 eV, but there are also 'Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays' with an energy of around 1019 eV to 1020 eV, so I was wondering if they couldn't be the result of collisions of two 'normal' cosmic rays that hit each other from a very sharp angle, and splash open? The energy is about double the size of one single 'normal' event, and these rays are measured depending on the size of the shower, and perhaps chances of 2 normal ones hitting each other just right, could also be very rare.

If it's not possible, than I was curious what would make such an event stand out from a real Ultra-high-energy cosmic ray collision?

thanks,

m.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
10^19 - 10^20 eV is not "about double" 10^9 eV - it is 10-100 billion times larger!
 
phyzguy said:
10^19 - 10^20 eV is not "about double" 10^9 eV - it is 10-100 billion times larger!

oops, ok so two normal ones colliding would than simply give an energy release of 2 x 10^9 eV

thanks.
 

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