Cosmic Bullets: High Energy Particles In Astrophysics (Frontiers of Science

by Roger Clay, Bruce Dawson

In 1992 the fastest object known to mankind hit the Earth's atmosphere at a speed within a billion-trillionth of one percent of the speed of light, carrying an energy far above that of the most powerful particle accelerator ever built. That object was a cosmic ray.Over 100 cosmic ray particles pass through our bodies every second. Some of these have enormous energies, far above those accessible using man-made particle accelerators. Many of them have traveled millions of light years across the Universe, and they bring with them clues about exotic astronomical systems like neutron stars, supernovae, quasars, and black holes.In Cosmic Bullets leading cosmic ray experts Roger Clay and Bruce Dawson tell the incredible story of the discovery and study of these messengers from deep space. They point out that despite a century of intensive research, it is still far from certain where most cosmic rays come from or how they were created. Nevertheless, the little-known story of their discovery and subsequent study holds many sudden twists and wonderful surprises. The authors have captured the excitement and mystery of astrophysical research, and the human drama of science, in this story of discovery.

Genres: Science, Physics

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Octavia Cade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wonder if I'm the target audience for this book, to be honest. Astronomy is an interest of mine, as is the popularisation of science, but although clearly well-researched this book didn't really do it for me. I'm not sure if it actually falls under pop sci, or if it's more an introductory round-up for those entering or those (even peripherally) involved in the field.

I found it quite dense, and it didn't leave me interested in the topic. I do feel marginally more educated on the other hand (though I'm not sure how much has stuck) so I suppose that's something.