Cosmic rays not from gamma bursts
Cosmic rays are electrically charged particles, such as protons, that strike Earth from all directions. Image: goktugg/iStockphoto An international study involving a University of Adelaide researcher has produced surprising results about one of the most enduring mysteries in physics - the origin of cosmic rays.First discovered 100 years ago, cosmic rays are electrically charged particles, such as protons, that strike Earth from all directions, with energies up to 100 million times higher than those created in man-made accelerators.Physicists have focused their interest on two potential sources: the massive black holes at the centre of active galaxies, and the exploding fireballs observed by astronomers as gamma ray bursts.The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a massive detector in Antarctica, is exploring these theories by studying neutrinos, which are believed to accompany cosmic ray production.Dr Gary Hill, ARC Future Fellow with the University of Adelaide's School of Chemistry & Physics, is a member of the IceCube collaboration....