The Simplest Explanation for Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays

In May of 2021, the second most energetic cosmic ray ever detected struck Earth, producing a shower of particles detected on the ground by the Telescope Array Collaboration. Although there is considerable debate over the nature of the original source that created this and other extreme energy cosmic ray particles, the explanation for its incredibly large energy may be incredibly mundane. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University/Kyoto University/Ryuunosuke Takeshige

From all across the Universe, from our Sun, from neutron stars, black holes, and sources well beyond our galaxy, high-energy cosmic particles continuously strike the Earth.

In 1991, a particle of unprecedented energy was detected: known as the “Oh-My-God” particle for how spectacular it was. No similar particle was ever seen again… until May 21, 2021.

If it wasn’t a mistake or a bug, what could the explanation for these ultra-high-energy cosmic rays be? While some easily speculate about new physics, the simplest, most mundane explanation is truly iron-ic.

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(Source: Big Think)