Could thunderstorms be impacting ultra-high-energy gamma ray readings
Observations of ultra–high-energy gamma rays, considered a breakthrough in cosmic studies, are raising questions regarding their accuracy due to potential interference from thunderstorms. Gamma rays exceeding one petaelectronvolt (PeV) were detected by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Tibet, hinting at cosmic accelerators far surpassing any particle collider on Earth. However, concerns have emerged that thunderstorms could be skewing these measurements by amplifying subatomic particle showers in the atmosphere, thereby exaggerating gamma ray energy levels.
Thunderstorms’ Potential Role in Amplifying Particle Showers
According to findings published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Ashot Chilingarian, director of the Aragats Cosmic Ray Research Station, highlighted the influence of thunderstorms on particle showers. Chilingarian, along with Mary Zazyan from the Yerevan Physics Institute, conducted a study showing that electric fields in thunderstorms could intensify these particle showers. Their model suggested that this amplification could lead to substantial overestimation of gamma ray energy by observatories such as LHAASO. It was also noted that weather-related data tied to these gamma ray events has not yet been disclosed, leading to calls for greater transparency.
LHAASO Scientists Address Concerns
Zhen Cao, LHAASO spokesperson, stated to Science News that weather conditions are closely monitored by their team using antennas that measure atmospheric electric fields. He also remarked that thunderstorms are uncommon in Tibet’s mountainous regions and dismissed any obvious connection between storms and the gamma ray detections.
Monitoring Practices at Other Observatories
At the High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory (HAWC) in Mexico, similar concerns are mitigated through constant monitoring of electric fields. Kelly Malone, a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, clarified that gamma ray events in their data appear evenly distributed over time, indicating minimal interference from thunderstorms.
Experts Call for Caution in Interpretation
Experts, including Johannes Knapp from the DESY laboratory in Germany, recommend continued caution and thorough verification of such groundbreaking detections. While no direct link has been confirmed, the potential impact of thunderstorms on these measurements is being closely examined.
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In June 2024, scientists detected a mysterious, powerful burst of radio waves originating from within our galaxy. At first, they thought it was coming from a pulsar or another undiscovered cosmic object. However, an analysis revealed the origin of the signal was too close to the Earth. Astronomers think it was caused by a long-dead NASA satellite Relay 2, was launched in 1964 but ceased operations in 1967 after its communication systems failed. Yet, nearly 60 years later, it mysteriously emitted a powerful radio signal, the researchers said in a new preprint study, which was posted June 13 to the server arXiv and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Relay 2: A Silent Satellite Sends a Loud Signal
According to the study, the signal was detected using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope array. These intense flashes typically originate from deep space and can carry more energy in milliseconds than the sun emits over several days.
But this signal, lasting just 30 nanoseconds, was traced back to the vicinity of Earth, too close for ASKAP to focus on clearly. After ruling out cosmic sources, the team traced the pulse to the orbit of Relay 2. Despite having no functioning systems, the satellite somehow emitted the brightest radio flash in the sky at that moment.
Researchers proposed two theories: a micrometeorite impact that created a radio-emitting plasma cloud, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) caused by charge buildup on the satellite’s aging materials.
New Clues About Spacecraft Behavior and Space Debris
Though both mechanisms could produce similar signals, scientists lean toward electrostatic discharge as the likelier cause. According to space physicists, older spacecraft like Relay 2 may be especially prone to such energy releases due to outdated materials and limited shielding.
Karen Aplin told New Scientist that studying these accidental emissions could help monitor ESD events on today’s small satellites — many of which also lack advanced protection. In an increasingly crowded orbital environment, this detection method may offer a novel tool for evaluating space debris and satellite health.
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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured its first direct image of a newly discovered exoplanet. Astronomers announced that Webb imaged a Saturn-mass planet orbiting the nearby young star TWA 7. Dubbed TWA 7 b, the planet’s mass is only about 0.3 times that of Jupiter – roughly Saturn’s mass – making it the smallest planet ever seen via direct imaging. Most of the nearly 6,000 known exoplanets have been detected indirectly. To spot TWA 7 b, the JWST team used a coronagraph (like a solar eclipse) to block the star’s light and reveal the faint planet.
Detecting a Hidden World
According to the study published in the journal Nature, Webb’s team targeted TWA 7 because its dusty disk is viewed nearly face-on, revealing clear ring structures. They used Webb’s MIRI instrument with a coronagraph to mask the star’s glare. After processing the data, a faint infrared point source appeared roughly 1.5 arcseconds from TWA 7 (about 50 times the Earth–Sun distance).
This source lies in a gap of the star’s second dust ring. Its brightness and color match what theoretical models predict for a young, cold planet roughly Saturn’s mass. The object seems to be carving out the ring gap just as an orbiting planet would. Astronomers ruled out other explanations (like a background star) to confirm the signal is best explained by a planet.
A Step Toward Smaller Worlds
TWA 7 b’s Saturn-like mass makes it about ten times less massive than any exoplanet previously captured in a direct image. Its discovery shows that Webb can now image worlds far smaller than the giant exoplanets seen before. Scientists say the telescope may eventually detect planets as light as 10% of Jupiter’s mass, pushing toward Earth-like size.
This breakthrough “paves the way” to imaging truly terrestrial planets in the future. Astronomers even predict that upcoming observatories could dramatically increase the number of Earth-size planets seen by direct imaging. Next-generation telescopes – on the ground and in space – are being planned with even more powerful coronagraphs to hunt for the first directly photographed Earth analogues.
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