Evening star., 1948-09-24
Stars, Men and Atoms
Atom AnnihiIution Seen
In Voids Between Sturs
DIR. Millikan Tells of Research in
Cosmic Radiation Field
By Thomas X. Henry

Cosmc radiation, which spatters the earth
with infiinitesimally tiny hailstones propelled
by forces of billions of volts is due to complete
annihilation of atoms in the voids between the
stars.
Every observation for IS years since the
strange phenomenon has been studied confirms
this hypothesis. says Dr.. Robert A. Millikan,
dean of American physicists. DR.. Millikan him.
self has been one of the world leaders in cosmic
ray research, travelling over much of the world
by ship and plane with delicate recording
instruments to investigate disputable points.
Now the case is stronger than ever. he main-
tains. The relative abundance of the various
elements in interstellar space has been de-
termined. The total energy which would be
produced by the breaking up of an atom of
any of these elements into electrons and pro.
tons, the major nuclear particles, and photons,
or light waves, can be calculated with great
accuracy. All these energies fall within ths
cosmic ray range.
Energy Necessary.
But, DR.. Millikan explains, a certain mini.
mum energy is necessary for nucear particle
to get through the magnetic field OF the earth,
The strength of this field varies at different
latitudes and longitudes. His Investigations
show that, at almost precisely the places
predicted, radiation with the energy acquired
from the breaking up of certain elements,
ranging from hydrogen to silicon, may bs
detected.
The most abundant element in the voids be-
tween the stars so vast that light requires hum
dreds of years to cross some of them is hydro
gen, the mother stuff" of creation which COM
prises 80 per cent of the universe. When q
simple hydrogen atom is annhilated-by what
ever process this may be accomplshed-ther
Is set free an energy of only few billion
volts. Next in abundance is the sun gas helium
whose atom is considerably more complex than
hydrogen and sets free considerably more
energy when it is completely broken up. Next
in order of abundance, both in the universe
and the very tenuous dust of cosmic space,
come carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and silicon.
The humiliation of silicon atom releases
about 13,ooo,ooo,oOO volts of energy.
-. Calculates Voltage.
Heavier atoms release correspondingly greater
voltageS. DR.. Millikan calculates that at the
magnetic equator in India it would require
about 1900 900 volts for primary particle
to be propelled through the resistance of the
earth's magnetic field. Since such energies
could come only from quite complex atoms
there would be relatively little radiation.
But about $50 miles north the field would
have declined just sufficiently to let through
the 13, 600 600 oOO-volt particles from silicon. At
just about the place predicted the first radia-
ton of this intensity was detected. In tests
along the Pacific Coast from Peru to Victoria
the places were located, corresponding to the
strength of the magnetic field where carbon
and oxygen annihilation rays began. to enter
the picture. The total amount of cosmic radi-
alton correspondingly increases
DR.. Millikan plans to repeat some of his
measurements this fall with more sensitive ap-
paratus in an effort to determine the cause Of
some discrepancies in his past work.