Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Energetic Particle Strikes the Earth

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 5, 2023 is “Energetic Particle Strikes the Earth,” an image. It is credited to Illustration Credit: Osaka Metropolitan U. / L-INSIGHT , Kyoto U. / Ryuunosuke Takeshige. The original explanation runs about 180 words.

An illustrations depicts a high energy cosmic ray starting an air shower in the Earth's atmosphere. Below is an array of air shower detectors. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
Credit: Illustration Credit: Osaka Metropolitan U. / L-INSIGHT , Kyoto U. / Ryuunosuke Takeshige Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“It was one of the most energetic particles ever known to strike the Earth — but where did it come from?”

— APOD editors, December 5, 2023

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
December 5, 2023
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Illustration Credit: Osaka Metropolitan U. / L-INSIGHT , Kyoto U. / Ryuunosuke Takeshige
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 180 words

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.