Unveiling the Elusive Origins of High-Energy Cosmic Rays
A new study suggests that the most energetic cosmic rays in the universe originate from within the Milky Way galaxy, specifically from the remnants of exploded stars known as supernova remnants. The findings were made possible by the Calorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET), a sensitive instrument mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) that has detected over seven million ultra-high-energy cosmic ray particles since 2015. The recorded high-energy rays provide convincing evidence that they originated from sources nearby our solar system, possibly from at least three of the 12 supernova remnants within 3,000 light-years of us. The research supports the current understanding of high-energy electrons and offers insights into the galaxy and its sources.