Q.
Where are cosmic rays produced?
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A.
In neutron stars, black holes, and AGNs (active galactic nuclei).
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Q.
What's an AGN?
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A.
AGNs, also known as super-massive black holes, lie at the centres of every galaxy. They may have millions of times the mass of a star like the Sun.
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Q.
How did these objects come into being?
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A.
They are all massive, rapidly rotating objects produced in the last stages of evolution of stars and galaxies.
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Q.
What are the components of cosmic rays?
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A.
They contain extremely-high energy particles, especially protons travelling close to the speed of light. Some definitions also include extremely-high energy electromagnetic waves, at x-ray wavelengths and beyond.
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Q.
How are the rays generated?
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A.
The generating objects push out the rays in fine jets along their axes of rotation.
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Q.
Where is there more detail on this?
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