On the cover: Bands of shimmering color bathe the Alaskan sky in a brilliant shower of the northern lights, caused when electrically charged particles in the solar wind collide with molecules of air particles in Earth's magnetosphere. (JAN CURTIS, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA)

Every day our planet gets pelted by particles. Although it does a decent job of blocking out most of this high-speed space shrapnel, occasionally Earth is overwhelmed, and highly charged particles breach the planet's protective shield. A common culprit is our Sun, which can unleash a barrage of high-energy bursts that disrupts electronic communications and sets off displays of color known as the northern lights. A more serious — and mysterious — assault pummels the planet from unknown sources at unbelievable speeds. These energetic enigmas, called cosmic rays, may originate from such distant powerhouses as supernovae or colliding galaxies. Astronomers have a long way to go to figuring out these high-flying pieces of the cosmic power trip.

Fortunately, StarDate readers need go only to their mailbox to learn about all these potent particles and the science missions underway to help us understand them. And while you're busy ducking the "dings and pings" from outer space, read about another of this summer's solar visitors: Comet LINEAR, streaking to a neighborhood near you.

Cosmic Rays — Fast-Flying Fossils From Space

Setting High Standards: Fearless Foursome Take on the Sun

Comet Lines up an Evening Show

Read archived news from StarDate magazine in the Resources section.

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