Cosmic rays
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Cosmic rays are particles that bombard the Earth from outer space, such as::
- Galactic Cosmic Rays -- coming from outside the solar system
- Anomalous Cosmic Rays -- coming from the interstellar space at the edge of the heliopause
- Solar Energetic Particles -- associated with solar flares and other energetic solar events
NASA says that, "... cosmic rays go up when solar activity goes down." [1]
Effects on the earth's weather
- Cosmic rays vary the earthâs temperatures by creating more or fewer of the low, wet clouds that cool the earth.
- Cosmic rays amplify small changes in the sunâs irradiance fourfold, creating 1-2 degree C cycles in earthâs temperatures. [2]
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