Science

What is ‘Antimatter’ and Why Is It Surrounding the Earth?

When cosmic rays smash into Earth’s atmosphere, which happens all the time, smaller particles are released. Physicists have theorized that some of these smaller particles may be antimatter.* And recent data says they’re right.

Why does that matter to you? Because some say such matter could be harnessed for fuel.

The cosmic ray detector PAMELA, which is part of a program carried out by the WIZard collaboration and Russian partners, found a whopping 28 antiprotons during a 850 day period.

Before you jump to conclusions, this number may be more impressive than it sounds. Wired reports:

That might not sound like much, but it’s three times more than would be found from a random sample of the solar wind.

PAMELA, which is an acronym for Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics, was released in 2006 attached to a satellite to seek out such particles. New Scientist explains:

Charged particles called cosmic rays constantly rain in from space, creating a spray of new particles – including antiparticles – when they collide with particles in the atmosphere. Many of these become trapped inside the Van Allen radiation belts, two doughnut-shaped zones around the planet where charged particles spiral around the Earth’s magnetic field lines.

Heavier particles take wider paths when they spiral around the planet’s magnetic lines, and weaker magnetic field lines also lead to wider spirals. So relatively heavy antiprotons travelling around the weak field lines in the outer radiation belt were expected to take loops so big they would quickly get pulled into the lower atmosphere, where they would annihilate with normal matter. The inner belt was thought to have fields strong enough to trap antiprotons, and indeed that is where they have been found.

Thin Belt of Antimatter Found Around Earth

Van Allen's inner and outer radiation belts. (Wikimedia)

The physicists of this discovery stated in the Astrophysical Journal Letters that this is the most abundant source of antiprotons near Earth. New Scientist went on to report future applications for energy produced by the reaction of matter and antimatter, if harnessed, could be used in applications like fuel for ultra-efficient rockets.

*Author’s Note: Before delving into the ins and outs of what was discovered and what it means, here’s a quick refresher about antimatter and some other concepts related to this discovery. Antimatter is composed of antiparticles, in the same way matter is composed of particles. Antimatter is the equal yet opposite twin of matter. For example, protons have an equal but opposite antiproton; electrons have a positron. CERN‘s Kid’s Corner page explains the concept of antimatter with this visual: picture taking a star-shaped cookie cutter and cutting out the shape in playdough. The star you now hold in your hand is matter, the hole left in the dough is antimatter. At present antiparticles can only exist for a short period of time before they collide with particles and annihilate each other. This annihilation results in high-energy photons. Scientists at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, experiment with creating and trapping antimatter particles. In November 2010, CERN particle phyicists created and trapped antimatter, but only for a short period of time (170 milliseconds). More recently in May 2011, Wired reported they were able to trap antihelium for just under 17 minutes.

Comments (75)

1 2
  • affinnity
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 10:15am

    I can’t believe we actually pay our hard earned tax dollars to a bunch of atheist scientists to make up this bull?

    Report Post » affinnity  
    • IAMINFIDEL
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 10:19am

      Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ignorance wirt large!

      Report Post » IAMINFIDEL  
    • Brad Wesselmann
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 10:36am

      hahaha… ;-)

      Report Post » Brad Wesselmann  
    • Spyder
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:35am

      I’m not an atheist, but just remember that these scientists that you are bashing are the same type of people who created the computer that you’re using to try and discredit them. They also invented most of the tech you use today. Can you make your own clothes? Food? (And I don’t mean just cooking products supplied by stores), can you build a car? Can you build the individual parts to make the car? Etc., Etc., Etc…
      Go Read ‘Atlas Shrugged’ and take a long, hard look at everything the thinkers provide that you take for granted every day. It may be a story of fiction, by the Philosophy in the book is anything but… May God have mercy on your soul for your ignorance

      Report Post » Spyder  
    • affinnity
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 11:55am

      IAMINFIDEL. If you get to call me ignorant I get to call you a name too.

      Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you a BUTT HEAD.

      Report Post » affinnity  
    • Spyder
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:05pm

      Wow! Did you think that one up all by yourself. Your parents must be ever so proud of you. But better yet, you look like a fool. You answered nothing and attacked personally. I said , “For your ignorance.” And that was in regard to the matter at hand. You called yourself ignorant, and considering that your response proved it, I can now fully agree. Enjoy the bliss…

      Report Post » Spyder  
    • affinnity
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:18pm

      Here are some links:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimatter
      “Almost all matter observable from the Earth seems to be made of matter rather than antimatter.”
      “Scientists claim antimatter is the costliest material to make.”

      http://www.popsci.com/category/tags/antimatter
      “Japan’s “T2K,” one of our favorite neutrino experiments (we’re keen on several), might have just cracked the mystery of why matter triumphed over antimatter after the Big Bang (they should have canceled each other out).”

      Report Post » affinnity  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 1:27pm

      IAMINFIDEL,

      Right!

      This is a pretty cool discovery. Now, figure out how to harness it and convert it to usable energy.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • B_rad
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 5:55pm

      God created science, man is just trying to figure it out.

      I’m all for pursuing anti-matter – without it, we’ll never get to meet Spock.

      One thing is for certain. If they did figure out how to use it, it could be the most efficient, clean miracle fuel imaginable and the environmentalist whackos will b!tch and moan that collecting it is causing global warming.

      Report Post » B_rad  
    • New_Crusader
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:42pm

      Although not expressly written into the Constitution, the president for the federal government to explore the unknown, was set by Thomas Jefferson when he sent and funded the Lewis and Clark expedition. The funding by the Federal Government of high dollar scientific research, has had national security implications,from the Manhattan Project, to the “Space Race” Discovering the basic building blocks of nature has implications beyond our imagination, and is not just a national effort, but one that is truly international in scope. I, for one, consider any tax dollars spent on this, as, money well spent.
      And, how do you know the scientists were atheists, anyway?

      Report Post » New_Crusader  
    • Physicist_In_Training
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 9:13pm

      Some good comments here…Affinity, those are interesting articles you’ve posted, but I’m not certain why you think they are proof that this is a waste of time/money (especially the one that talks about the matter/antimatter disparity; that’s a very interesting problem for physicists, but one we think is solved; it has to do with the fact that the weak force is not symmetric under parity, which I won’t explain, but was proven experimentally by the great Madame Wu). I actually agree that a lot of tax dollars are wasted in scientific research; FYI, my own research is privately funded, and I have paid either out of pocket or with privately funded scholarships for my degree. But if I was an entrepreneur with money in the energy market, I’d definitely be investing in antimatter research, because if I could figure out how to harness it, I’d make a fortune.

      Oh, and by the way, most of my colleagues in physics are not atheist. Many physicists believe in God, and believe that what they study about the universe is evidence for, not against, a creator. The more you learn about the universe, the more you are awed by its structure and detail. So many people think physicists want to “play god” or “disprove” god, but that’s so untrue; we just want to understand the universe.

      Report Post » Physicist_In_Training  
  • GabeTheGreat
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:50am

    scientists are already working on fusion in south france, they are building a tokamak in a project called “ITER” and its scheduled for completion in 2019. theoretically they may even get it so self-sustain and generate a continuous stream of power rather than just short bursts which is what we have now.

    Report Post » GabeTheGreat  
  • watchmany2k
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:25am

    The energy required to produce anti-matter is one thing, the ability to contain it another.
    This is an interesting discovery as not only earth, but other heavenly bodies may also have bands of anti-matter producing magnetic fields, IE: a source to “refuel”

    Meanwhile back on earth, we should solve fusion for Energy.
    If we had a presidential leader with vision, NASA’s next effort should be fusion.
    It will take the same effort, ability, and ingenuity as the Man on the moon mission.
    A JFK moment to be sure… IF we had a leader with vision.

    Read my article on fusion at :
    http://www.watchman2012.com
    Shameless plug, I know…

    Report Post » watchmany2k  
    • GabeTheGreat
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:46am

      scientists are already creating a plasma fusion generator for a sustained fusion burn right here on earth. its in southern france and the project is called “ITER” it utilizes a tokamak and will be completed in 2019. you can find it on youtube, its pretty interesting if you’re into that sort of stuff =)

      Report Post » GabeTheGreat  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:57am

      Why is this antimatter any different than what is already identified in space? Is it the mostly just the location and volume, or is there something else? Didn’t they use to think there was a relationship between black holes and antimatter? So many questions.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:21pm

      The global elite already have this technology to produce a self-sustaining, continual power source. They will not let the masses know. Things are going just the way they want it. They will lose their control to enslave us if they move too quick. They like the fact that almost every working man and woman, has to work so many hours every month to pay their electric. Once there is close to 500,000,000 on the planet they will implement this fusion technology. just my opinion :p

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
    • lylejk
      Posted on August 11, 2011 at 2:36am

      One reason to go back to the moon. Locked up in lunar dust is huge amounts of Helium 3 which would make creating viable Nuclear Fusion here (problem with using Hydrogen is the particles given off damages containment walls; using He 3 fusion produces dramatically less of these particles so the actual reactor could last the lifetime of the plant). Yes, it’s actually worth the effort to mine the moon for He 3 since a small container of it would power NY for over a year. But oh wait; BO ended the lunar program to get us back to the moon. Sad for us all. :)

      Report Post » lylejk  
  • Cynic-clinic
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:22am

    This Antimatter is what has been causing global warming all along. It stands to reason: When you displace matter, heat rushes in thus causing the earth to warm.

    Someone please send this memo to Algore–tell him he is FOS.

    Report Post »  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:26pm

      A lot of scientists are saying global “warming” has everything to do with the Sun’s solar flares and a 208 year hibernation cycle. They say we are going into a serious freeze the next few winters. Remember two winters ago, how harsh it was?

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • Wyatt's Torch
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:13am

    I am still confused, but now, at a higher lever

    Report Post » Wyatt's Torch  
  • nysparkie
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:08am

    I know what it is and what it means to us! O’Bambam is anti matter and it explodes when it comes in contact with normal matter such as the United States. We shouldn’t touch, support, vote for or even admire anti-matter.

    Report Post » nysparkie  
  • Christian Kalgaard
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:37am

    a geomagnetic shift is coming, prob. in 2012

    Report Post » Christian Kalgaard  
    • dthomps6
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 10:59am

      The magnetic poles have been moving for hundreds (probably thousands) of years already. Just since the vikings its gone from just north of Scotland to the middle of the northern territory in Canada.

      Report Post » dthomps6  
  • RichEG
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:25am

    If everything is made up of matter, then money is matter.

    When Obama speaks, money disappears, therefore he creates
    anti-matter.

    Report Post » RichEG  
  • Ronko
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 6:11am

    Sounds cool but it will take years to develop.

    Report Post »  
    • Rice Water
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:27am

      We could make antimatter propulsion engines right now if we wanted to. Unfortunately, it’s an incredibly slow, inefficient form of energy. In general, The Universe tends to be a bit of a dick when it comes to free energy.

      Report Post » Rice Water  
  • jrfox
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:18am

    There is a direct line of it into the white house.
    Anti-capitalism, anti-truthfulness. ETC!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:12am

    And now, the Eco-nuts have lost the race for a different source of energy =P If we can manage to harness this stuff, Enviro-“Mentalists” can kiss their cause for existing, good-bye!

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • Cold War Vet
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 4:12am

    Antimatter is some seriously cool stuff, but I don‘t think we’ll develop a technology stable enough to harness it for energy in my lifetime. But the research MUST continue! Quantum mechanics/physics is the coolest science that there is!

    Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 9:02am

      Oh, I agree. I am too old now, but I wish I had gone into some form of Science. It’s really interesting.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
  • pwatkins
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:19am

    Drill baby Drill!

    Report Post »  
  • solaveritas
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:17am

    With the end times upon us and Armageddon around corner, NOW they discover “does it really matter”!

    My dad was anti-matter. His hand would always collide with my head when he asked, “Whatsa matta you”?

    The wise Obama says, “I don’t have all the facts but its clear that the anti-matter acts stupidly”!

    Report Post » solaveritas  
  • kevtheatheist
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:05am

    Actually, you could in theory produce a bit of antimatter in fusion reactions which is why there is antimatter in the solar wind. This is a pure proof of E=MCe2. Matter converted to energy.

    Report Post » kevtheatheist  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 9:07am

      I think they have been proving that for sometime. It’s one of the facts that not only supports the big bang theory, but also create new theories about Earths future. Furthermore, they believe that there is a relationship between antimatter and black holes which could make it possible to travel further into space than we ever have before. And then some think that it could create a door to parallel universes.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
  • ireport uderide
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:52am

    Chuck, it’s your brother Ian.
    You are correct sir.

    Report Post » ireport uderide  
  • romadave
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:36am

    I saw another article on powerful cosmic wind emitted by a luminary. Oh wait, that was just Barney Frank.

    Report Post »  
  • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
    Posted on August 10, 2011 at 12:03am

    Matter and antimatter? Big deal. What I’m worried about is if pasta and ante pasta ever get together. I mean, cosmic-BLAM! Who’s gonna clean the kitchen after THAT mess?

    Report Post »  
  • Cheetosareus
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 11:48pm

    There is more anti-matter in the universe than there is matter. Hawkins.

    Report Post »  
  • lylejk
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 11:08pm

    Next to impossible to produce enough antimatter and contain it for use, but, if indeed there are zones within out own magnetic belt that can hold onto anti-matter that strays throughout space and is all around us, if we can utilize it for use as an energy source, the consequences is extremely far reaching. Matter/anti-matter energy supply is far more efficient at creating useable energy then Fusion. Still, to tranfer the anti-matter and contain it in some man-made magnetic bubble to collect enough to be useful still is very questionable. :)

    Report Post » lylejk  
    • kevtheatheist
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:01am

      He says, on a machine whose speed was unthinkable 20 years ago, using a global information network also unthinkable.

      Report Post » kevtheatheist  
  • bigfatslob
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:54pm

    Sure, sure I get it. Antimatter, yeah antimatter ! We could attach a giant generator to a warp drive engine, then have Scotty give her all she’s got.Energy problem solved.

    Report Post » bigfatslob  
  • jnobfan
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:10pm

    We desparately need another way to produce electricity besides turbines and inefficient for now solar. Maybe this is the answer although capturing anti-protons in the atmosphere is certainly not but its a start. For now its drill baby drill whether you like it or not.

    Report Post »  
  • Howyinthehills
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:44pm

    I attended a lecture in the early nineties that discussed using anti-matter for spacecraft fuel. The thesis was to generate anti-matter (anti-protons) on earth, store them in magnetic storage bottles, then combine them with protons (ordinary hydrogen) in space to generate spaceship thrust.
    This is even better, the anti-protons are aready up in space and can be collected there. When an anti-proton and a proton combine all that is given of is pure energy (photons), no radioactive particles. The radiation itself is harmful to humans so the anti-matter engine has to have shielding in the direction of the crew. This is not science fiction, but advanced technology. Other applications are anti-matter bombs. Where the spacecraft calls for a slow prolonged release of anti-matter for propulsion a quick combining could release an incredible radiation blast. Placed correctly in orbit the electromagnetic impulse would wipe out most radio communications on earth and many electronic circuits (goodbye internet). The old plowshares and swords problem.

    Report Post » Howyinthehills  
  • Anton Phibes
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 6:38pm

    Crisis on Infinite Earths is Upon Us. Run—It’s the war between the Monitor and the Anti Monitor. The fate of the entire DC Universe is at risk. Oops….this is an actual news story about anti-matter. Which only existed in comics and Star Trek until recently. Just drill for the oil we have here for crying out loud.

    Report Post »  
  • kindling
    Posted on August 9, 2011 at 6:03pm

    I sure hope this does not turn out to be something else that leaves a pile of waste no one knows how to get rid of and ends up causing health problems. I believe we have everything we need here if the government just gets out of the way of the creative minds of the world. If it is not here now we don’t need it and that includes GMOs.

    Report Post » kindling  
    • ecurbyy
      Posted on August 9, 2011 at 6:26pm

      I‘m no scientist but I think I’m anti anti-matter. So, the donut is the matter and the donut hole is anti matter? Am I getting this right. So, how many donut holes would be considered dangerous? Oh, forget it! Have to plug my man here. Ron Paul in 2012. Liberty, prosperity and peace. Restore the Constitution.

      Report Post » ecurbyy  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:23pm

      A matter/anti-matter reaction results in 100% release of energy which means very little in the way of fuel needed (a bottle of anti-matter the size of your tv could theoretically drive a space ship to Mars in a matter of days instead of taking 9 months!), and results in very little radioactive waste..much less than current fission reactors that are only about 10% efficient. It’s a technology worth looking into because of the potential for low cost energy…

      Report Post »  
    • Chris
      Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:46pm

      A “common” matter/antimatter reaction, annihilation of an electron and a positron (anti-electron) creates two gamma photons moving in opposite directions. Gamma radiation is just really short wavelength light, so you start with matter and convert it directly to energy.

      Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on August 9, 2011 at 11:11pm

      This is a matter of scientific interest, but it has NO chance of producing energy because it takes an amazing amount of energy to produce antimatter.

      Report Post »  
    • New_Crusader
      Posted on August 10, 2011 at 8:52pm

      Charles H. Duell was the Commissioner of US patent office in 1899. Mr. Deull’s most famous attributed utterance is that “everything that can be invented has been invented.” I don’t know if that is true or not( some say it was a joke) But your comment, sir, makes me tend to believe it.

      Report Post » New_Crusader  
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