Astronomers Trace High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Electrons to Nearby Sources

Decade-long study by the H.E.S.S. Observatory reveals a sharp energy drop-off, suggesting powerful accelerators close to the solar system.

Researchers at the H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia analyzed 10 years of data to measure cosmic-ray electrons at unprecedented energies, exceeding 10 tera-electronvolts.
The study identified a sharp drop-off in the energy spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons around 1 tera-electronvolt, pointing to a limited number of nearby sources.
Potential sources include pulsars or supernova remnants within a few thousand light-years of Earth, with one or a few objects likely responsible for the observed high-energy particles.
Cosmic-ray electrons lose significant energy as they interact with magnetic fields and light, limiting their travel distance and confirming the proximity of their origins.
The findings refine models of cosmic particle acceleration and provide new insights into extreme astrophysical phenomena in the local galactic neighborhood.