Cosmic Rays
We are permanently bombarded with smallest particles of cosmic origin - without noticing it. Mostly these are neutrinos, but also charged particles with extremely high energies are among them. They form the cosmic radiation that penetrates to the earth's surface. We are all exposed to cosmic radiation and do not notice it because it does not leave any traces that we can see or feel. What are these particles and where do they come from?
- Components: 90% protons (H nuclei), 8% 4He nuclei, 1% heavier atomic nuclei, 1% electrons.
- Energy and origin of particles:
-- E_p < 10^9 eV: Sun through flares and coronal mass ejection.
-- E_p < 10^18 eV: galactic - from our Milky Way by supernovae and black holes
-- E-p > 10^19 eV: extragalactic through active galaxies, jets, black holes - These particles collide with the nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the upper atmosphere of the Earth. One such primary particle produces about one million secondary particles, resulting in a "particle shower". Almost only muons reach the earth's surface, about 100 per square meter and second.
- To make these particles visible, I have built a spark chamber, which is portable and could be shown in school if there is interest.
Observatories
In Darmstadt: The Sun Observatory TURM (TU Darmstadt ReMote Observatory) -
and in Spain - Extremadura (Fregenal della Sierra): Two Telescopes TURMX.
The Foucault Pendulum
To claim that the earth rotates was life-threatening in the 1600s. We know what happened to some who did so anyway. Therefore, it was all the more important to present as graphic evidence as possible. Vincenzo Viviani (5.4.1622-22.9.1703) worked with Galileo Galilei in Florence and demonstrated such proof in 1661 with the pendulum experiment that 190 years later became known as Foucault's pendulum.