Project Description
Cosmic radiation is generated by
interstellar bodies such as stars when they undergo a supernova event. The rays
produced travel throughout the universe, largely unimpeded. Because of the
extraordinary power of such cosmic events, the resultant rays are highly
energetic. When one of these rays hits Earth’s atmosphere, a shower of
particles is produced that continues to the surface. Some common particles that
make it through our atmosphere are: muons, protons, electrons, and neutrons. By
understanding when and where these particles come from, it allows for a better comprehension
of the forces that shape our universe.
The cosmic particles that are of
interest are moving very fast and are invisible to our eyes, therefore complex
methods of detection are required to detect them. The purpose of the Cosmic
Cube is to detect these particles during a shower caused by a cosmic event. The
Cosmic Cube will convert the invisible particles into electrical signals that
can be processed, measured, recorded, and compared. The product also will be
designed such that it can easily integrate with others so that more of a
particular event can be detected.