The most powerful cosmic rays in the universe currently have no explanation. New research suggests that exotic, self-annihilating particles in our own galaxy may hold the answer.
The supernova remnant W44 glows magenta where powerful cosmic rays collide with gas. Scientists are trying to trace the origins of the strongest cosmic rays in the universe — and a new study provides an unusual answer. The most powerful cosmic rays raining down on Earth may come not from distant corners of the universe but from heavy dark matter particles that annihilate themselves in our own backyard. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that constantly stream through the cosmos. They are largely made of protons, but they can occasionally be made of the nuclei of heavy elements, such as helium and even iron. Despite being microscopic, they pack a punch. Each one travels at nearly the speed of light , and the fastest ones have energies trillions of times stronger than our most powerful particle accelerators. Astrophysicists understand the origins of most cosmic rays. Any time there is an energetic event in the universe, it's likely to produce a shower of cosmic rays. This can include supernovas, merging stars and matter being swallowed by black holes . Related: 32 physics experiments that changed the world But we do not fully understand the origins of the most powerful cosmic rays. The problem is that, although there are plenty of energetic sources for them, those sources are billions of light-years away. These…