What are cosmic rays? How do they affect earth?

Protons and lighter element nuclei make up the majority of their high energy composition, which is most likely the result of supernova explosions.

Some of the more energetic particles do make it to the Earth's surface, but the atmosphere blocks almost all of them, so their impact is negligible.

There are cosmic ray detectors that are surface-based and usually consist of networks of linked sensing elements.

Cosmic rays are high-energy radiation, primarily originating from outside the solar system. They can be composed of protons, electrons, and atomic nuclei. When cosmic rays collide with the Earth's atmosphere, they produce a cascade of secondary particles that can penetrate deep into the atmosphere and reach the surface. Cosmic rays can affect Earth by ionizing atoms, creating free radicals, and potentially causing damage to living cells and DNA. They also play a role in the formation of clouds and can interfere with electronic equipment.