Multiwavelength Astronomy Multimedia


Title

Volcano Ranch, New Mexico

Description

(Left) John Linsley at Volcano Ranch. On February 22, 1962, Linsley observed an air shower created by a primary particle with an energy greater than 1020 eV, the highest energy cosmic ray observed up to that point. If a particle of this energy was created within the galaxy, it could not be contained in the galaxy. Linsley’s observations at Volcano Ranch suggested that not all cosmic rays are confined within the galaxy, as had been previously supposed. (Right) The plan of Volcano Ranch array in 1962, as it looked when Linsley made his observation. The circles represent 3.3 m2 scintillation detectors. Numbers near circles are shower densities (particles/m2) registered in the event. Point 'A' is the estimated location of the shower core.

Subject

  • John Linsley
  • People

Credits

John Linsley Papers. Fermilab History and Archives Project, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL

Type

Collage

Associated Lesson

X-Ray Science

This material is based upon work supported by NASA under Grant Nos. NNX09AD33G and NNX10AE80G issued through the SMD ROSES 2009 Program.

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