In a groundbreaking revelation at the 217th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, scientists have unveiled a startling discovery – thunderstorms are generating beams of antimatter. This unexpected finding sheds light on the enigmatic phenomenon of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) associated with intense thunderstorms.
Antimatter Mystery
Researchers, in collaboration with NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, have uncovered a remarkable process within thunderstorms. It appears that high-energy gamma-ray photons produced during TGFs are transforming into pairs of electrons and positrons, the antimatter counterparts of electrons. These antimatter particles, when intercepted by the orbiting telescope, traverse Earth’s magnetic field and collide with electrons onboard, resulting in mutual annihilation and the creation of distinctive gamma-ray photons.
Positrons From Thunderstorms
Antimatter is produced in thunderstorms through a process involving terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs). In the tops of thunderstorms, strong electric fields can drive an upward avalanche of electrons. When these electrons interact with molecules in the atmosphere, they emit gamma rays. Some of these gamma rays, when passing near atomic nuclei, transform into an electron and a positron. These positrons and electrons then ride up Earth’s magnetic field and collide with each other, annihilating and emitting gamma rays that can be detected by instruments like NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope[1][3][5]. This discovery reveals that thunderstorms can generate antimatter particles, specifically positrons, which are beams into space, marking a significant advancement in geoscience research[1].
Illuminating the Path to Understanding
While the precise role of lightning in generating gamma rays and antimatter remains elusive, this newfound revelation promises to deepen our comprehension of TGFs. By unraveling the mechanisms behind these phenomena, physicists aim to unravel the mysteries surrounding these celestial occurrences and gain insights into the intricate interplay between thunderstorms and antimatter production.
Stay tuned as scientists delve further into this electrifying discovery, unraveling the secrets hidden within thunderstorms and their unexpected connection to the realm of antimatter.
Citations
[1] https://www.space.com/10602-antimatter-beams-thunderstorms-nasa.html
[2] https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10900/
[3] https://newatlas.com/lightning-gamma-rays-antimatter/52312/
[4] https://www.science.org/content/article/scienceshot-thunderstorms-make-antimatter
[5] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171122131353.htm