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The subject of this story is a single proton that you would definitely feel if it hit you: https://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/OhMyGodParticle/


I don't think that is the case. The kinetic energy of these super-energetic particles is often compared to a tennis ball. But that energy isn't released at once, so even if it would interact with yourself, that interaction creates a particle shower that takes most of the energy with it. I don't think we can feel one of our atoms getting violently ripped apart.


There’s Anatoli Bugorski [1] who accidentally put his head into the path of a high energy proton beam.

The injury resembled nothing like being hit by tennis balls.

> He reportedly saw a flash "brighter than a thousand suns" but did not feel any pain.

He’s still alive today, age 83.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoli_Bugorski


Oh my god i never read this thats so cool




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