Scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University have actually harnessed the Subaru Telescope to observe cosmic-ray showers with unprecedented clearness. This new method could lead to extensive discoveries about deep space, including insights into dark matter.
Cosmic-ray extensive air showers observed by Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam with unmatched accuracy.
Showers in restrooms bring us convenience; showers from space bring astrophysicists happiness. Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have actually observed, with their novel technique, cosmic-ray substantial air showers with unprecedented precision, opening the door to new insights into deep spaces most energetic particles.
Subaru Telescopes Unexpected Potential
When a high-energy cosmic ray hits the Earths atmosphere, it produces an enormous variety of particles understood as a substantial air shower. A research study group led by Associate Professor Toshihiro Fujii from the Graduate School of Science and Nambu Yoichiro Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics at Osaka Metropolitan University, in addition to college student Fraser Bradfield, has actually discovered that the prime-focus broad field cam installed on the Subaru Telescope, situated atop the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii, can capture these extensive air showers with very high resolution.
An example of a cosmic-ray substantial air shower recorded by the Subaru Telescope. The highlighted tracks, which are mainly aligned in comparable instructions, reveal the shower particles induced from a high-energy cosmic ray. The Subaru Telescope was designed for observational astronomy. Examining around 17,000 images recorded in between 2014 and 2020, the research team pinpointed 13 images that included comprehensive air showers.
An example of a cosmic-ray comprehensive air shower tape-recorded by the Subaru Telescope. The highlighted tracks, which are primarily lined up in comparable directions, show the shower particles induced from a high-energy cosmic ray. Credit: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Collaboration
The Subaru Telescope was designed for observational astronomy. Cosmic rays, appearing as “tracks” on the observed images and obscuring the targeted galaxies or stars, are dismissed as noise by typical huge data processing. This groups research study focuses on that very “noise.” Analyzing around 17,000 images caught between 2014 and 2020, the research study group pinpointed 13 images that consisted of substantial air showers. These images displayed a far bigger number of particle tracks than normal.
Changing Observational Methods
” With standard observation approaches, it is challenging to differentiate in between the types of particles that constitute substantial air showers,” described Professor Fujii. “Our method, on the other hand, has the possible to identify the nature of specific particles.”
Teacher Fujii included, “Furthermore, by incorporating our approach with standard approaches, we hope to advance our understanding of extensive air showers. This technique may permit us to browse for dark matter or other unique particles, providing extra insights into the shift of the Universe into a matter-dominated age.”
Their results are set for publication in Scientific Reports on October 12, 2023.
Referral: “Observing Cosmic-Ray Extensive Air Showers with a Silicon Imaging Detector” 12 October 2023, Scientific Reports.DOI: 10.1038/ s41598-023-42164-4.