Cosmic rays

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 Earth

• "Cosmic rays are deflected away from Earth by our planet's magnetic field, and by the solar wind - streams of electrically charged particles coming from the Sun." BBC NEWS | Science & Environment - 3 April 2008

• "... 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

See also

• Cloud condensation nuclei