The Universe’s Most Powerful Particles May Be Even Stranger Than Scientists Thought

New research suggests some ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays may be ultraheavy nuclei, not just protons or iron.

That composition could help particles like the Amaterasu event keep extreme energy over vast intergalactic distances.

Possible sources include rare astrophysical events such as neutron-star mergers or the collapse of massive stars.

Pinning down the composition of these record-breaking rays could narrow the search for the universe’s most powerful accelerators.