Thunderstorms May Skew Ultra-High-Energy Gamma Ray Measurements, Experts Warn

Observations of extremely–high-energy gamma rays, thought of a breakthrough in cosmic research, are elevating questions concerning their accuracy as a result of potential interference from thunderstorms. Gamma rays exceeding one petaelectronvolt (PeV) have been detected by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Tibet, hinting at cosmic accelerators far surpassing any particle collider on Earth. However, issues have emerged that thunderstorms might be skewing these measurements by amplifying subatomic particle showers within the ambiance, thereby exaggerating gamma ray vitality ranges.

Thunderstorms’ Potential Role in Amplifying Particle Showers

According to findings revealed in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Ashot Chilingarian, director of the Aragats Cosmic Ray Research Station, highlighted the affect of thunderstorms on particle showers. Chilingarian, together with Mary Zazyan from the Yerevan Physics Institute, performed a examine exhibiting that electrical fields in thunderstorms might intensify these particle showers. Their mannequin steered that this amplification might result in substantial overestimation of gamma ray vitality by observatories akin to LHAASO. It was additionally famous that weather-related knowledge tied to those gamma ray occasions has not but been disclosed, resulting in requires larger transparency.

LHAASO Scientists Address Concerns

Zhen Cao, LHAASO spokesperson, acknowledged to Science News that climate situations are intently monitored by their workforce utilizing antennas that measure atmospheric electrical fields. He additionally remarked that thunderstorms are unusual in Tibet’s mountainous areas and dismissed any apparent connection between storms and the gamma ray detections.

Monitoring Practices at Other Observatories

At the High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory (HAWC) in Mexico, related issues are mitigated by means of fixed monitoring of electrical fields. Kelly Malone, a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, clarified that gamma ray occasions of their knowledge seem evenly distributed over time, indicating minimal interference from thunderstorms.

Experts Call for Caution in Interpretation

Experts, together with Johannes Knapp from the DESY laboratory in Germany, suggest continued warning and thorough verification of such groundbreaking detections. While no direct hyperlink has been confirmed, the potential impression of thunderstorms on these measurements is being intently examined.