Ep 2. Curse of the Cosmic Rays

In season 10 episode 2 of How the Universe Works, titled "Curse of the Cosmic Rays," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the impact of cosmic rays on the universe. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that originate from various sources such as the sun, stars, and distant galaxies. They constantly bombard the Earth, but they are also crucial for life on our planet as they help regulate the climate and the formation of clouds.

The episode begins with a look at the discovery of cosmic rays by Victor Hess in 1912. He discovered that the high-energy particles originate from outside our atmosphere and come in all shapes and sizes. This groundbreaking discovery opened up an entirely new field of study that has led to many more discoveries about the universe.

Next, the episode explores the impact of cosmic rays on the human body. The crew visits CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, to see how they study the effects of cosmic rays on human cells. Scientists are conducting experiments to learn more about how cosmic rays damage DNA and potentially cause cancer. They are also investigating potential ways to shield astronauts from cosmic rays during space travel.

Back on Earth, the episode looks at another way cosmic rays impact our lives – through technology. Cosmic rays can cause electronic devices to malfunction, and they are a major challenge for the aviation industry. The crew visits an airplane boneyard in the Arizona desert to see how planes are tested for cosmic ray resistance. They also examine the potential risks of cosmic rays on critical infrastructure such as power grids and communication systems.

The episode then explores how cosmic rays can help us understand the universe. Scientists use cosmic rays to study cosmic rays to study the composition of the universe and the formation of stars. Viewers are taken on a journey to the South Pole, where a state-of-the-art observatory is stationed to detect cosmic rays. The observatory is essential in the search for dark matter, which scientists believe makes up most of the matter in the universe.

The episode ends with a look at future research and discoveries related to cosmic rays. The crew visits the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina, which is the largest cosmic ray observatory in the world. Scientists here are working to uncover the mysteries of the universe and further our understanding of cosmic rays and their impact on the universe.

Overall, "Curse of the Cosmic Rays" is an eye-opening exploration of how these high-energy particles impact our lives and the universe around us. It sheds light on the groundbreaking research and discoveries that have been made about cosmic rays over the past century and highlights the ongoing work to unlock the secrets of the universe.