Origin of high-energy cosmic rays more mysterious, again

New data weaken link between rare, energetic particles and giant black holes

DENVER — New data cast doubt on the origin of high-energy cosmic rays, which previous evidence indicated came mostly from galaxies that house supermassive black holes.

An investigation of more of the rare, energetic events suggests that fewer than half may come from this type of galaxy, David Thomas of Colorado State University in Fort Collins reported May 3 at a meeting of the American Physical Society.