Record-Breaking Cosmic Ray Electrons Detected Near Earth
The H.E.S.S. Collaboration has extended the measurement of cosmic-ray electron and positron spectra to 40 TeV, revealing a significant spectral break at 1 TeV. This breakthrough challenges existing models of cosmic-ray origins and propagation, suggesting that local sources like pulsars or supernova remnants may play a role. The findings also constrain the potential contribution of dark matter annihilation to the cosmic-ray flux, prompting a reevaluation of cosmic-ray acceleration models.