Cosmic Rays explores the high-energy particles bombarding Earth from beyond our solar system, probing their origins, behavior, and impact. These messengers from the cosmos offer unique insights into extreme astrophysical environments, serving as a direct sample of matter from distant galaxies. The book addresses fundamental questions about what cosmic rays are, where they originate, and what they reveal about the universe, including the nature of dark matter. Did you know cosmic rays can have energies far exceeding anything achievable by human-made accelerators? This book investigates such phenomena.
The book begins by introducing cosmic rays' basic properties, such as their composition and energy spectrum. It then progresses to discuss potential sources, from supernova remnants to active galactic nuclei, before concluding with practical applications, including effects on space weather and radiation hazards. The approach synthesizes observational data with theoretical models, providing a current overview of the field.
