The Cool Science Radio show on Utah-based NPR affiliate KPCW recently interviewed Dr. John Matthews of the Telescope Array Project about the science of cosmic rays, the history of cosmic ray research in Utah, and the recently discovered Amaterasu particle that hit the Earth's atmosphere above the Utah deserts in 2021.
Hosts Lynn Ware Peek and Katie Mullaly talked with Dr. Matthews about the unique contributions to cosmic ray research that came out of the University of Utah, particularly the use of telescopes to observe the ultraviolet emissions of the particles as they crash into the atmosphere. He notes that in order for a fluorescence detector to work, you need dry air, a dark sky, and a high elevation—the exact conditions you find in the remote deserts of Southern Utah. These specific environmental conditions brought researchers from across the world to collaborate on cosmic ray research in Utah.
The full interview can be found here.
 