Telescope Array Project, Gamma-ray telescope in Millard County, United States
The Telescope Array Project is a gamma-ray observatory in Utah's desert made up of hundreds of detectors spread across a vast area. The facility uses two different observation methods: ground stations record particle showers, while separate stations capture ultraviolet light from cosmic ray impacts in the sky.
The facility was created by combining a Japanese observation system from the 1990s with the American Fly's Eye telescope, which operated in Utah from 1981 to 1993. This merger of two pioneering projects created a powerful installation for studying the most energetic particles from space.
Scientists from Japan, United States, Russia, South Korea, and Belgium collaborate at this international research center to study ultra-high energy cosmic rays.
The site is located in a remote desert area at high elevation, so visitors should bring plenty of water and prepare for extreme weather. Tours require advance notice since the facility sprawls across a very large area and scientific work takes priority.
In 2023, the facility recorded a particle with one of the highest energies ever measured on Earth, showing that the universe holds far more powerful cosmic energy sources than previously thought. This discovery helps scientists push the boundaries of our understanding of physical forces.
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