Preprint
NASA ASTRA Initiative White Paper: Space-Based Mission for Ultrahigh Energy Particles
arXiv
arXiv
08/10/2026
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2608.09835
Abstract
Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays ( E_(\rm CR) ≳ 1EeV) are the highest-energy particles known, signaling extreme particle processes at work in the universe. However, many aspects of their nature remain largely unknown, even after more than a century of study. Very-high-energy ( E_(ν)≳ 1PeV neutrinos associated with cosmic-ray interactions, both during the acceleration process and propagation, would provide new insight into these extreme particles, as we have seen at lower energies with the dawn of TeV neutrino astronomy. Nevertheless, only a handful of such neutrinos have been observed thus far. A space-based observatory dedicated to studying cosmic rays, neutrinos, and photons would provide an unprecedented platform for observations of these extreme-energy messengers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- NASA ASTRA Initiative White Paper: Space-Based Mission for Ultrahigh Energy Particles
- Creators
- Mauricio BustamanteJohannes EserKe FangClaire GuépinJohn KrizmanicEric MayotteKeith McBrideKohta MuraseMary Hall RenoFrank SchroederTonia M VentersStephanie Wissel
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Publication Details
- arXiv
- DOI
- 10.48550/arxiv.2608.09835
- ISSN
- 2331-8422
- Publisher
- arXiv
- Language
- English
- Date posted
- 08/10/2026
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985218380702771
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