Capture Cosmic Rays with Your Own Camera
▼ Summary
– Photographic darkrooms are essential because even small amounts of light can ruin unfixed film or photographic paper, which is why they are stored in light-proof containers.
– Some film types are sensitive to ionizing radiation, a principle Henri Becquerel accidentally discovered with uranium, which also allows for imaging cosmic rays.
– Cosmic rays, like uranium’s radiation, are ionizing and can penetrate materials, affecting photographic media even in complete darkness.
– In an artistic experiment, Gabriel used a digital camera in a dark room for a 41-minute exposure to capture cosmic rays, intentionally replicating Becquerel’s unexpected discovery.
– Many invisible phenomena, like cosmic rays, can be detected with specialized or even standard photography equipment, as demonstrated by past projects using UV to capture electrical arcing.
The world around us is filled with invisible phenomena, and with the right approach, you can capture it using standard photography equipment. While darkrooms are essential for protecting light-sensitive film and paper from exposure, they cannot shield against all forms of energy. Certain materials remain vulnerable to ionizing radiation, a principle famously demonstrated by Henri Becquerel’s accidental discovery of uranium’s radioactivity. This same vulnerability allows modern photographers to document cosmic rays, high-energy particles from space that constantly bombard our planet.
Becquerel’s breakthrough occurred when a photographic plate stored in darkness was unexpectedly exposed by nearby uranium salts, revealing an image without any light. Cosmic rays operate on a similar principle; these charged particles can penetrate various materials and interact with photographic sensors or film emulsions, even in complete darkness. For a recent artistic and scientific project, an experimenter named Gabriel placed a medium-format digital camera in a pitch-black room and programmed it for a single, forty-one-minute exposure. The resulting image captured the faint, streaking trails of cosmic ray interactions. The key difference from the historical accident is intent, Gabriel actively sought this result, while Becquerel stumbled upon his discovery unexpectedly.
This project highlights that a vast array of events occur beyond the spectrum of human vision, yet they become visible with appropriate tools and patience. While Gabriel utilized a specialized camera with a large sensor, the core technique is theoretically accessible to anyone with a digital camera capable of long exposures or even a traditional film camera. The concept extends beyond cosmic rays; similar methods have been employed to visualize other unseen forces, such as using ultraviolet sensitivity to capture the ephemeral glow of electrical arcing. It serves as a compelling reminder that scientific exploration and artistic expression can often begin with simple, curious experiments conducted in the dark.
(Source: Hack A Day)
