Experimental/Observational Summary - Very High Energy Cosmic Rays and their Interactions

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in cosmic ray observations, discusses the challenges in understanding their origins and composition, and highlights how accelerator experiments and ultra-high energy air shower studies can shed light on fundamental particle interactions.

Contribution

It emphasizes the importance of LHC measurements and ultra-high energy air shower observations in advancing understanding of cosmic ray origins and interactions.

Findings

Improved cosmic ray observations with higher statistics.

LHC experiments will reduce uncertainties in air shower simulations.

Ultra-high energy air showers can probe particle interactions beyond LHC energies.

Abstract

Observations of cosmic rays have been improving at all energies, with higher statistics and reduced systematics. Fundamental questions remain regarding the origins of cosmic rays both within the Galaxy and in extragalactic sources, and new puzzles have arisen at ultra-high energies. A key issue is determining the elemental composition based on air shower measurements. Accelerator experiments at the LHC, with comprehensive measurements in the forward direction and high interaction energies, will greatly reduce the uncertainty in air shower simulations. Ultra-high energy air showers may reveal properties of particle interactions at energies far beyond the reach of the LHC.