Cosmic ray spallation

<p>Cosmic ray spallation, also known as the x-process, is a set of naturally occurring nuclear reactions causing <a href="/facts/Nucleosynthesis/F9MIeADF">nucleosynthesis</a>; it refers to the formation of <a href="/facts/Chemical_element/0jducgWD">chemical elements</a> from the impact of <a href="/facts/Cosmic_ray/uxCVdTKd">cosmic rays</a> on an object. Cosmic rays are highly energetic charged <a href="/facts/Subatomic_particle/tMEzcTWQ">particles</a> from beyond <a href="/facts/Earth/HLLmDfj0">Earth</a>, ranging from <a href="/facts/Proton/clCjepXP">protons</a>, <a href="/facts/Alpha_particle/dzNMs9WP">alpha particles</a>, and nuclei of many heavier elements. About 1% of cosmic rays also consist of free electrons.
</p><p>Cosmic rays cause <a href="/facts/Nuclear_spallation/k7AsUBbk">spallation</a> when a ray particle (e.g. a proton) impacts with <a href="/facts/Matter/osyc04UN">matter</a>, including other cosmic rays. The result of the collision is the expulsion of particles (protons, neutrons, and <a href="/facts/Alpha_particle/dzNMs9WP">alpha particles</a>) from the object hit.  This process goes on not only in deep space, but in Earth's upper atmosphere and crustal surface (typically the upper ten meters) due to the ongoing impact of cosmic rays.
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Cosmic ray spallation open-in-new

Cosmic ray spallation