Cosmic Bullets: High Energy Particles In Astrophysics (Frontiers of Science) [Paperback]

Roger Clay (Author), Paul Davies (Author), Bruce Dawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 1999 | Series: Frontiers of Science

In 1992 the fastest object known to mankind hit the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed within a billion-trillionth of one percent of the speed of light, carrying an energy far above that of the most powerful particle accelerator ever built. That object was a cosmic ray.Over 100 cosmic ray particles pass through our bodies every second. Some of these have enormous energies, far above those accessible using man-made particle accelerators. Many of them have traveled millions of light years across the Universe, and they bring with them clues about exotic astronomical systems like neutron stars, supernovae, quasars, and black holes.In Cosmic Bullets leading cosmic ray experts Roger Clay and Bruce Dawson tell the incredible story of the discovery and study of these messengers from deep space. They point out that despite a century of intensive research, it is still far from certain where most cosmic rays come from or how they were created. Nevertheless, the little-known story of their discovery and subsequent study holds many sudden twists and wonderful surprises. The authors have captured the excitement and mystery of astrophysical research, and the human drama of science, in this story of discovery.

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About the Author

Roger Clay and Bruce Dawson are senior research physicists at the University of Adelaide and are both part of major international collaborations to study the highest energy particles in the universe. Roger Clay and Bruce Dawson are senior research physicists at the University of Adelaide and are both part of major international collaborations to study the highest energy particles in the universe.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (April 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738201391
• ISBN-13: 978-0738201399
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,993,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars much unknown, April 10, 2005

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This review is from: Cosmic Bullets: High Energy Particles In Astrophysics (Frontiers of Science) (Paperback)

Cosmic rays are something that the general public has heard of, but typically has no idea what it is. Well, Clay hopes to dispel some of that ignorance in this brief text. He explains that these are nuclei often travelling at very high speeds; often several percent of the speed of light. Just being nuclei, without any accompanying electrons, means that they are highly charged.

Which gives rise to the experimental methods to detect and study them. Ranging from balloons carrying detectors high in the atmosphere to ground-based detectors. The experimental aspect of this field can be somewhat colourful.

But where do they come from? Why so energetic? He goes into several possible explanations. Possibly from stellar reactions deeper in the galaxy. But it is contentious as to what those reactions are. Some cosmic rays are known to come from our Sun, and give us insight into its structure and composition.

Much is still unknown in this field.