A cosmic ray shower, often referred to as an extensive air shower, is a phenomenon in which high-energy cosmic rays, primarily protons and atomic nuclei, collide with particles in the Earth’s atmosphere. When cosmic rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they interact with air molecules and produce a cascade of secondary particles, including electrons, muons, and photons, through a complex process of particle interactions and decays. These secondary particles continue to interact and multiply, creating a cascade effect that results in a shower of particles spreading over a wide area. Cosmic ray showers can be detected using ground-based observatories, such as particle detectors and Cherenkov radiation detectors.
