Newswise — We can’t see or feel them, but particles from space are around us all the time. These subatomic particles, called muons, are created when cosmic rays hit the Earth’s atmosphere.
Now, a University of Delaware physicist has made it possible for anyone – from high school students to research scientists – to detect them.
Spencer Axani, assistant professor of physics, invented CosmicWatch, a pocket-sized, low-cost particle detector that lights up when it senses muons. Made from materials available on Amazon and eBay for about $100, the device has opened the door for hundreds of high schools to bring particle physics into the classroom – many for the first time.
Axani recently unveiled an upgraded version of CosmicWatch designed to withstand high levels of radiation, expanding its use from teaching tools to advanced research. The new model supports projects like one which studies cosmic rays in Antarctica, and could help improve communication between satellites in space.
