This latest SpaceWeather article about atmospheric cosmic rays subsiding for the first time in six years made my heart skip a happy beat.
Cosmic rays in the atmosphere are rapidly subsiding. In the past year alone, radiation levels in the air high above California have plummeted more than 15%, according to regular launches of cosmic ray balloons. The latest measurement on July 23, 2022, registered a 6 year low. This development, while sudden, is not unexpected.
Cosmic rays from deep space are repelled by solar activity; when one goes up, the other goes down. Since 2021, Solar Cycle 25 has roared to life faster than forecasters expected. The onset of the new solar cycle has naturally led to a decrease in cosmic radiation reaching Earth…
There is considerable interest in atmospheric cosmic rays. Climate scientists are engaged in a lively debate about whether or not cosmic rays affect cloud cover. (The consensus seems to be mostly not). Cosmic rays also penetrate aircraft, boosting the risk of cancer among frequent fliers and flight crews.
Galactic cosmic rays are a form of high-energy ionizing radiation from deep space. According to SpaceWeather, the galactic cosmic rays are emitted from distant supernova explosions passing through the Solar System. When they hit the top of Earth's atmosphere, they create a secondary spray of radiation, which are measured using sensors onboard cosmic ray balloons.
(Cosmic Ray Balloon: Eun-Suk Seo - http://cosmicray.umd.edu/cream/cream-photos/cream-iii/category/25-launch.html?server=1, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39487270).
The Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere that deflects most of the cosmic rays coming toward us. However, sometimes, cosmic radiation does break through, but most scientists say it doesn’t cause any harm. The rays are elevated for those why regularly fly, especially in higher altitudes and latitudes, and for astronauts in space. But for everyone else, they represent probably only 10% of our total annual radiation exposure. That said, as one who has worked with subtle energy healing for almost 40 years, I have a sense that we biological entities may be more sensitive to cosmic rays than scientists understand.
So here’s what got me a little excited about this latest news on cosmic rays: I have read of various studies indicating that cosmic ray exposure could possibly impair mood, cognitive function, and the ability to respond and adapt to stress. (Granted, I am aware that some of these studies may not mean anything, especially if they were performed with mice in space or on repeated high altitude and latitude flights). There’s also the question of solar rays increasing as cosmic rays decline, and one wonders how this may create a different kind of effect.
Nonetheless, as the current solar cycle is strengthening now and in the coming years, and as cosmic rays are finally declining for the first time in six years, could it mean that human beings on the whole will become more aware, less agitated, and better able to manage their stress? Well, one can only pray, hope, and dream!