Unraveling the Mystery of the Highest-Energy Cosmic Ray Detected
Astronomers using the Telescope Array in Utah have detected an ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) with an energy level of 244 EeV, the highest since the famous "Oh-My-God" particle in 1991. Dubbed the "Amaterasu" particle, its origin remains a mystery, as tracing its trajectory led to an empty area of space known as the "Local Void." The detection challenges current theories on the sources of UHECRs, which could include cosmic-scale explosions, active galactic nuclei, gamma ray bursts, or starburst galaxies. The expansion of the Telescope Array may provide more insights into these high-energy particles.