SRINAGAR: In a ground-breaking discovery, scientists from Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) have identified an exceptionally energetic cosmic ray, named “Amaterasu” after the Japanese sun goddess, with an astonishing energy level of 244 exa-electron volts (EeV). This revelation, detailed in a study slated for publication in Science on November 24, 2023, marks the most potent cosmic ray recorded since the famous “Oh My God” (OMG) particle in 1991, LiveScience reported.
Amaterasu was pinpointed on May 21, 2021, by the Telescope Array project, spanning over 270 square miles in Utah. The cosmic ray’s trajectory leads back to a mysterious void in the universe, an expansive region devoid of known galaxies, nebulas, or other cosmic structures. Researchers are grappling with the enigma surrounding the particle’s origin and its unprecedented energy levels.
Astrophysicist Toshihiro Fujii, the lead author of the study, expressed his initial disbelief, stating, “When I first discovered this ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic ray, I thought there must have been a mistake, as it showed an energy level unprecedented in the last 3 decades.”
The scientists are exploring various potential sources for the UHE ray, including supernova explosions, black hole mergers, and pulsars. However, the lack of clear cosmic structures in the void raises the possibility that the particle originated elsewhere and was deflected towards Earth, possibly by magnetic fields surrounding a distant star or massive object.
This discovery poses a challenge to current astrophysical understanding, as the researchers consider the likelihood of “unknown astronomical phenomena and novel physical origins beyond the Standard Model [of physics].” Similar uncertainties surround the origins of the OMG particle in 1991, leaving scientists with persistent questions about the mechanisms behind these ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.
Looking ahead, the research team is optimistic that advancements in next-generation observatories will offer insights into the origins of these mysterious particles, unravelling the cosmic forces that propel them and expanding our understanding of the universe. This ground-breaking discovery reinforces the vastness of the cosmic unknown and the continued quest to decipher the secrets of the cosmos.
