Powerful cosmic rays: Scientists race to explain ‘universe’s greatest mystery’

In the Southern Hemisphere, others have seen an intriguing hint of cosmic rays coming from Centaurus A, which is a one of the most violent galaxies in Earth’s neighbourhood.

When the particles in cosmic rays collide with the atoms in at the top of the atmosphere, they “shower”, explains Professor Jui, tearing apart atoms in a violent collision.

The particles from that explosion then keep bursting apart other bits of matter, in a snowballing chain reaction.

Cosmic rays even permeate us, sailing straight through our bodies, explains the physics and astronomy professor: “Very energetic particles basically go through you, depositing only a very small amount of energy.”