How cosmic rays help us understand the universe - Veronica Bindi
190,274 Views
1,301 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
We only know 4% of what the universe is made up of. Can we also know what lies beyond our galaxy ... and if there are undiscovered forms of matter? Luckily, we have space messengers — cosmic rays — that bring us physical data from parts of the cosmos beyond our reach. Veronica Bindi explains what cosmic rays are, and how they transmit information about our universe from the great beyond.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Interested in learning more about cosmic rays? Want to know which elements are found in them? Where did they originate? Visit the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to get more information! For the most recent information about comic ray happenings in the universe visit the NASA site Cosmicopia. Visit the question and answer page to learn everything you needed to know about cosmic rays!
The CERN website has a wonderful description of Hess’s balloon experiment and his discovery of cosmic rays. Peruse the website. Learn what CERN represents and what is being studied there. Check out the student tab to find online lectures and student placement opportunities at CERN! Who knows where it may lead you!
Learn why cosmic rays have been called “messengers from a violent universe” at Astroparticle.org. Check out photos from cosmic ray exploration and experimentation here. Which violent occurrences in our universe cause cosmic rays?
Does learning more about A.M.S sound interesting? Visit the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Experiment that flies aboard the International Space Station and found out what it is being discovered! Want the chance to study cosmic rays yourself? (here on Earth!) Check out the Cosmic Ray e-Lab, talk to your science teacher and join other high school students interested in the same topics!
Are cosmic rays dangerous to us here on Earth? Do they affect us when we fly? NPR has cosmic ray articles and audio files about these topics!
Cosmic Rays Sound Scary, But Radiation Risk On a Flight Is Small
Cosmic Rays: 100 Years of Mystery
Headed To Mars? Watch Out For Cosmic Rays
Watch Scientific American Instant Egghead and find out if cosmic rays spark lightning! Is this proven or is it just a hypothesis? What do the scientists say? What do you think?
The CERN website has a wonderful description of Hess’s balloon experiment and his discovery of cosmic rays. Peruse the website. Learn what CERN represents and what is being studied there. Check out the student tab to find online lectures and student placement opportunities at CERN! Who knows where it may lead you!
Learn why cosmic rays have been called “messengers from a violent universe” at Astroparticle.org. Check out photos from cosmic ray exploration and experimentation here. Which violent occurrences in our universe cause cosmic rays?
Does learning more about A.M.S sound interesting? Visit the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Experiment that flies aboard the International Space Station and found out what it is being discovered! Want the chance to study cosmic rays yourself? (here on Earth!) Check out the Cosmic Ray e-Lab, talk to your science teacher and join other high school students interested in the same topics!
Are cosmic rays dangerous to us here on Earth? Do they affect us when we fly? NPR has cosmic ray articles and audio files about these topics!
Cosmic Rays Sound Scary, But Radiation Risk On a Flight Is Small
Cosmic Rays: 100 Years of Mystery
Headed To Mars? Watch Out For Cosmic Rays
Watch Scientific American Instant Egghead and find out if cosmic rays spark lightning! Is this proven or is it just a hypothesis? What do the scientists say? What do you think?
About TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Veronica Bindi
- Director Jeremiah Dickey
- Animation Artist Lisa LaBracio
- Script Editor Alex Gendler
- Narrator Stephanie Lo
