Difference between revisions of "Cosmic rays"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(rearrange lede, add heading) |
|||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
*[http://helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/cosmic.html Cosmicopia at NASA/GSFC -- Cosmic Rays] by Beth Jacob | *[http://helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/cosmic.html Cosmicopia at NASA/GSFC -- Cosmic Rays] by Beth Jacob | ||
[[category:astronomy]] | [[category:astronomy]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Cloud condensation nuclei]] | ||
Revision as of 14:58, February 25, 2011
Cosmic rays are particles that bombard the Earth from outer space. Those associated with solar flares and other energetic solar events are called Solar Energetic Particles. Galactic Cosmic Rays come from outside the solar system. Anomalous Cosmic Rays come from the interstellar space at the edge of the heliopause.
Cosmic rays and the Sun
- "... cosmic rays go up when solar activity goes down." [1]
- "GCR intensity is modulated by the strength of the solar wind and its magnetic field." NASA NIPCC
- "... during the 20th century, the influx of cosmic rays was reduced by a doubling of the sun’s magnetic field which shields the Earth from cosmic rays." [2]
Effects on the earth's weather
- Cosmic rays vary the earth’s temperatures by creating more or fewer of the low, wet clouds that cool the earth.
- Cosmic rays amplify small changes in the sun’s irradiance fourfold, creating 1-2 degree C cycles in earth’s temperatures. [3]
Older terminology
The term "cosmic rays" used to include X-rays and gamma rays.
External links
- Cosmicopia at NASA/GSFC -- Cosmic Rays by Beth Jacob