Chinese observatory finds most powerful particle accelerator in the universe
A China-led research team has detected the highest-energy light particle ever recorded, originating from the Cygnus X-3 binary system. The discovery challenges existing scientific theories about the universe's particle acceleration limits.
Why it matters
This finding significantly expands our understanding of high-energy astrophysics and the physical limits of cosmic particle accelerators.
A China-led team has detected the highest-energy light particle ever recorded, showing that the universe can accelerate matter to 30 times the previously predicted limit.
The particle was born in a violent binary system – known as Cygnus X-3 – in the constellation Cygnus.
That process involves a dead star stripping material from a massive companion and shooting powerful jets into space.
After travelling for nearly 30,000 years, the particle reached Earth in March 2024, where it was captured by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory – a giant detector array on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
The LHAASO team reported their discovery this month in the journal National Science Review.
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