Cosmic Rays in the Milky Way and Beyond

TL;DR

Recent technological advancements have significantly improved our ability to study cosmic rays, enabling detailed measurements and observations that deepen our understanding of particle acceleration, interstellar medium composition, and galactic properties.

Contribution

The paper provides an overview of recent developments in cosmic ray astrophysics, highlighting new instrumentation and observational capabilities in the Milky Way and other galaxies.

Findings

Enhanced measurement precision of cosmic ray species

New insights into particle acceleration mechanisms

Improved understanding of interstellar medium composition

Abstract

Cosmic rays (CRs) are the probes of the deep space. They allow us to study particle acceleration, chemical composition of the interstellar medium, and global properties of our Galaxy. However, until recently studies of CRs were similar to astronomical observations with blurred lenses that capture only the integral brightness of all stars in the field of view. Thanks to the recent technological developments, our "lenses" are now capable of capturing sharp images and making precise measurements of all CR species. We have a full range of unique instrumentation for direct measurements of CRs in space and for multi-wavelength observations of their emissions and more missions are coming. The unveiling picture is astonishing. This paper gives a short overview of very exciting developments in astrophysics of CRs in the Milky Way and in other star-forming galaxies.