Namibian observatory detects highest-energy cosmic ray electrons to enhance understanding of cosmic sources

The H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia has detected the highest-energy cosmic ray electrons ever recorded. This breakthrough follows over a decade of research and suggests that these particles come from nearby cosmic events like supernovae and black holes. The study reveals that detecting these high-energy electrons is difficult due to their rarity. The observatory used a telescope array to capture Cherenkov radiation, allowing it to identify electrons with energy levels exceeding several teraelectronvolts. Researchers found a significant energy spectrum break at 1 TeV, indicating rapid energy loss by electrons in the Milky Way. This suggests that nearby sources, such as supernova remnants or pulsars, are powerful particle accelerators.