Cosmic splashes

040117 cosmicrays 1
ESO

Sometimes, high-energy cosmic rays can hit a camera as it is observing the universe. These can be from distant exotic sources, such as a supernova, or they can be randomly emitted from near to the camera lens.

Either way, the provide a sharp energy jolt to the camera, producing a tiny, white point in the image. These points can be seen by zooming in and looking closely at this image.

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