Observation of a Beam of Ultrarelativistic Particles and the Cherenkov Resonance

Previously we have reported the detection of a sequence of three particle arrival events at energies above 10¹⁹ eV during one day and from a small sky region by two extensive air shower (EAS) arrays. We have shown that the probability of a chance coincidence of the three events is very low and suggested the arrival of a short-lived particle beam at the Earth. Here we refine the energies of the recorded particles and discuss a possible beam formation mechanism that explains the observational results.

     

Source selectivity: An assessment of volcanic glass sources in the southern primorye region,far East Russia

Artifacts made from volcanic glass have been found in archaeological contexts dating from the Late Palaeolithic (ca. 20,000 yr B.P.) through to the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 2700 yr B.P.) in the southern Primorye region of Far East Russia. A geoarchaeological survey of volcanic glass outcrops assessed the various potential sources to determine their potential for sustained exploitation. A characterization study of source samples and artifacts from 27 spatially and temporally dispersed sites using a combination of PIXE‐PIGME and relative density identified which sources had actually been exploited and a technological analysis of the assemblages described patterns of use. The combination of these three approaches shows the impact of a relatively stable geological environment on patterns of procurement and exchange. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A beam of particles in ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays?

Three particles with energies of 36, 35, and 58 EeV arrived from one sky region were recorded by two EAS arrays during a day. The events are assumed to have been produced by the beam of particles that resulted from the interaction of cosmic rays with a relativistic shock front.