How Cosmic Rays and Balloons Started Particle Physics

In the early 1900s, experiments by Papini and Hess revealed cosmic rays, changing our understanding of radiation. These rays, originating from space, helped discover new subatomic particles, including positrons and muons, using cloud chambers. These discoveries laid the foundation for modern particle physics. However, the unpredictable nature of cosmic rays led to the development of particle accelerators by the 1960s, marking a shift in the field. Cosmic rays, once a key tool, became less central as physics evolved.

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