Chinese satellites confirm high-energy particles travel directionally over 42 light-years
Chinese research teams using the Tian Guan (Einstein Probe) satellite and the LHAASO observatory have confirmed that high-energy particles can propagate directionally over long distances, challenging the previous assumption of random diffusion. They observed a 42-light-year-long X-ray tail from pulsar PSR J1740+1000, 4,600 light-years from Earth, aligning with ultra-high-energy gamma rays detected by LHAASO. The findings were published September 21 in Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy.
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Chinese satellites and observatory confirm high-energy particles can travel directionally over long distances
Chinese research teams using the Tian Guan (Einstein Probe) satellite and the LHAASO high-altitude cosmic ray observatory have jointly confirmed that high-energy particles can propagate directionally over long distances, challenging the previous assumption of random diffusion. The study, published on September 21 in the journal Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, focused on the pulsar PSR J1740+1000, about 4,600 light-years from Earth. Tian Guan's X-ray telescope, with its large field of view and low noise, observed a 42-light-year-long X-ray tail from the pulsar, far longer than previously known. This tail aligns with ultra-high-energy gamma-ray radiation detected by LHAASO, proving that the same group of high-energy particles traveled tens of light-years in a consistent direction. Researchers Feng Hua and Yuan Weimin stated that this provides new observational evidence for understanding how high-energy particles leave their acceleration sources and propagate through interstellar space, and highlights the power of combining multi-wavelength observations from major scientific facilities.
Chinese satellites and observatory discover 42-light-year X-ray tail around pulsar 4,600 light-years away
Chinese scientists using the Tian Guan satellite (Einstein Probe) and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO, or 'Lasso') have jointly discovered an X-ray tail approximately 42 light-years long extending from the pulsar PSR J1740+1000, located about 4,600 light-years from Earth. This tail aligns spatially and directionally with ultra-high-energy gamma-ray radiation previously detected by LHAASO, providing new evidence for how high-energy particles propagate in the Milky Way. The X-ray tail, observed over about 70,000 seconds by the Tian Guan satellite, is the longest known X-ray pulsar wind nebula tail. The research team concluded that high-energy particles leaving the pulsar wind nebula do not immediately diffuse uniformly in all directions but can travel tens of light-years along a specific direction. The findings were published in the journal Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy (English edition), with corresponding authors from the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nanjing University.
Read sourceChinese satellites and observatory confirm high-energy particles can travel directionally over long distances
A Chinese research team, using data from the 'Tian Guan' satellite and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), has confirmed that high-energy particles (cosmic rays) can propagate directionally over long distances, challenging the previous assumption of random diffusion. The findings were published on September 21 in the journal Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy. The team observed an X-ray tail extending approximately 42 light-years from the pulsar PSR J1740+1000, which is about 4,600 light-years from Earth. This tail, the longest known X-ray pulsar wind nebula tail, covers a region of ultra-high-energy gamma-ray radiation previously detected by LHAASO. Researchers led by Feng Hua of the Institute of High Energy Physics confirmed that the same batch of high-energy particles left both the X-ray and gamma-ray 'footprints,' proving they can travel tens of light-years in a specific direction without dispersing. Yuan Weimin, chief scientist of the Tian Guan satellite, highlighted the value of combining large scientific facilities to study fundamental and interdisciplinary scientific problems.
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Chinese Scientists Confirm High-Energy Particles Can Travel Long Distances in Ordered Paths
A Chinese research team, using joint observations from the 'Tianguan' satellite and the LHAASO observatory, has confirmed that high-energy particles can travel long distances in an orderly direction, challenging the previous assumption of random diffusion. The findings were published on September 21 in the journal Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy. The team studied a pulsar, PSR J1740+1000, about 4,600 light-years from Earth. The 'Tianguan' satellite detected an X-ray tail extending approximately 42 light-years from the pulsar, far longer than previously known. The LHAASO observatory detected ultra-high-energy gamma rays in the same region. Researcher Feng Hua from the Institute of High Energy Physics stated that this proves high-energy particles can travel tens of light-years in a specific direction after leaving a pulsar wind nebula, rather than dispersing quickly. Chief scientist Yuan Weimin noted that the collaboration between major scientific facilities is beginning to address fundamental research questions.
Read sourceChinese satellites and observatory discover longest X-ray tail, advancing century-old cosmic puzzle
Chinese scientists using the Tian Guan satellite and the LHAASO observatory have discovered a 42-light-year-long X-ray tail around a pulsar 4,600 light-years away, the longest ever observed. This finding, published in Science China: Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, helps solve a century-old puzzle about the origin and propagation of high-energy cosmic particles. The X-ray tail, detected by Tian Guan's 'Fengxing Tian' telescope, aligns with ultra-high-energy gamma rays seen by LHAASO, suggesting the same electrons produce both emissions. Researchers led by Feng Hua and Chi Yiheng from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nanjing University found that particles can travel directionally for tens of light-years, challenging the assumption of uniform diffusion. The collaboration between Chinese mega-science facilities is hailed as a 'dream-level' observation by LHAASO chief scientist Cao Zhen and Tian Guan chief scientist Yuan Weimin. The team plans to make such joint observations routine, with a second paper already submitted.
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