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Slideshow: 01
2001 Mars Odyssey Slides |
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11) Gamma Rays & Neutrons (copyright also: IKI): How
are gamma rays and neutrons produced by cosmic rays?
Incoming cosmic rays-some of the highest-energy particles-- collide
with atoms in the soil. When atoms are hit with such energy,
neutrons are released, which scatter and collide with other atoms.
The atoms get "excited" in the process, and emit
gamma rays to release the extra energy so they can return to their
normal rest state. Some elements like potassium, uranium, and
thorium are naturally radioactive and give off gamma rays as
they decay, but all elements can be excited by collisions with
cosmic rays to produce gamma rays. The HEND and Neutron
Spectrometers on GRS directly detect scattered neutrons,
and the Gamma Sensor detects the gamma rays. |
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