Everything Everywhere Daily: The OMG! Particle (Encore)

Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
Release Date: January 30, 2025

Introduction to the OMG! Particle

In this enthralling episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves deep into one of the most enigmatic discoveries in particle physics—the observation of the "OMG! Particle." This cosmic phenomenon, detected on October 15, 1991, challenged existing scientific theories and continues to intrigue researchers decades later.

Understanding Cosmic Rays

Gary begins by laying the groundwork for understanding cosmic rays, the high-energy particles that traverse the universe at near-light speeds. "Cosmic rays are high energy particles that are zooming around in space in pretty much every direction," he explains. These particles, predominantly protons (about 90%), and helium nuclei, collide with Earth's atmosphere, creating cascades of secondary particles and radiation much like those in particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

The Fly's Eyes Cosmic Ray Detector and the 1991 Discovery

The episode recounts the operation of the Fly's Eyes Cosmic Ray Detector, an experimental observatory run by the University of Utah at the Dungway Proving Ground. Equipped with 100 detectors and large mirrors to capture particle collision events, the observatory was poised to make significant discoveries. On that fateful day in 1991, researchers observed a cosmic ray with an unprecedented energy of 320 exa electron volts (320E eV)—a figure so colossal it dwarfed the capabilities of even the most powerful particle accelerators at the time.

"They observed a cosmic ray that had an energy equivalent of 320 exa electron volts... When they saw the data, one of the researchers exclaimed, 'Oh my God.'" ([09:15])

The OMG Particle: Characteristics and Implications

The OMG Particle wasn't just any cosmic ray. Its energy was comparable to 51 Joules, equating to the kinetic energy of a 56 mile per hour baseball or a bowling ball dropped from shoulder height. To put this in perspective, the LHC had only achieved energies in the range of 13.6 teraelectron volts (13.6T eV), making the OMG Particle 40 million times more energetic.

Gary elaborates on the implications of such a discovery:

"The cosmic ray had to have been traveling at 99.999...% the speed of light... It could have traveled from Earth to Proxima Centauri in just 0.43 milliseconds from the particle's perspective." ([12:45])

Challenges and Verification of the OMG Particle

The sheer energy of the OMG Particle posed significant challenges to existing theoretical frameworks, particularly the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin (GZK) limit, which posits an upper energy boundary for protons at approximately 50 exa electron volts. The OMG Particle exceeded this limit by a factor of six, prompting skepticism within the scientific community.

To validate the findings, the University of Utah researchers meticulously reviewed their equipment and data, a process that delayed the announcement by a year. Initially, other scientists were skeptical, questioning the accuracy of the detection. However, subsequent observations of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays—defined as particles exceeding 1 exa electron volt—began to corroborate the plausibility of the OMG Particle, albeit as an extraordinarily rare event.

Subsequent Observations and Current Understanding

Since the original observation, more ultra-high-energy cosmic rays have been detected, though the OMG Particle remains the most energetic ever recorded. In 2022, the Multinational Telescope Array project reported a cosmic ray with 244 exa electron volts (244E eV), further challenging existing theories but still shy of the OMG Particle's record.

"With observations of more and more ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, the OMG particle seemed less and less implausible." ([18:30])

The Origins of the OMG Particle

One of the most tantalizing questions surrounding the OMG Particle is its origin. Gary explores several theories:

• Neutron Stars: These dense, rapidly rotating stars possess some of the universe's strongest magnetic fields, potentially accelerating particles to extreme energies.
• Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN): Massive black holes at the centers of galaxies, such as Centaurus A, were initially suspected. However, the influence of other magnetic fields along the particle's path makes this theory less likely.

Additionally, there's speculation that the OMG Particle might not be a proton but the nucleus of a heavier element, which would slightly alter speed calculations but not the overarching mystery of its origin.

"The truth is, we don't really know what the OMG particle was or where it came from." ([22:10])

Conclusion and Ongoing Research

Gary concludes by emphasizing the enigmatic nature of the OMG Particle and the inherent challenges in studying cosmic rays—since scientists can only observe the aftermath of their atmospheric collisions. Despite the limitations, ongoing research continues to peel back layers of this cosmic mystery, with each new observation offering glimpses into the high-energy processes shaping our universe.

"While there might be a limit on what we can know, we are still learning more. We now know that while ultra-high-energy cosmic rays are rare, the OMG particle probably wasn't a singular event." ([25:55])

Production Credits

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Associate Producers: Benji Long, Cameron Keever

Support and Community

Gary extends heartfelt thanks to the show's Patreon supporters, highlighting that contributions enable the daily production of the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to join the Everything Everywhere Daily Facebook group or Discord server to engage with fellow enthusiasts and the Completionist Club.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast's internal timing and are approximate based on the transcript provided.