Key insights

• ⚠️ The mysterious computer error in Belgium's 2003 election recount revealed inflated votes due to radioactive atoms flipping bits in the microchip's packaging, causing miscounts.
• ⚛️ Exposure to natural radioactive materials in ceramic led to bit flips in microchips due to single event upsets caused by alpha particles, as observed in early experiments on radioactivity and ionizing radiation.
• 🌌 Cosmic rays, high energy particles primarily made up of protons and other nuclei from space, have been observed through cloud chambers, leading to the discovery of anti-matter and other particles.
• 💻 Cosmic rays can cause bit flips in computer systems, impacting everything from video game glitches to supercomputers and flight computers, leading to measures like software auto saves and neutron detectors in high-altitude facilities.
• 🛩️ An Airbus A330 incident highlighted the lack of resilience in 1992 aircraft systems to single event effects caused by high-energy atmospheric particles, while the space shuttle had built-in redundancy to mitigate such errors.
• 🚀 Protecting electronics from radiation is crucial for space missions, as seen in the radiation-hardened computer of the Perseverance Rover, and problem-solving skills are essential for addressing challenges related to cosmic rays and radiation protection.
• ☀️ Radiation from cosmic rays fluctuates based on the sun's activity, posing potential risks to electronics and genetic codes, emphasizing the importance of radiation protection for space missions.
• 🧠 Interactive STEM courses, such as those offered on Brilliant, can help sharpen problem-solving skills essential for tackling challenges related to cosmic rays and radiation protection.

Q&A

• What protective measures are in place for electronics to withstand radiation in space missions?

  Electronics for space missions, such as the Perseverance Rover, use radiation-hardened components to ensure resilience against the effects of cosmic rays. Problem-solving skills, such as those taught on platforms like Brilliant, are vital for addressing challenges related to cosmic rays and radiation protection.

• How did a bit flip caused by cosmic rays impact an Airbus A330?

  The incident involving an Airbus A330 saw a significant altitude drop attributed to a bit flip in critical data supplied by the aircraft's system. This bit flip was likely caused by high-energy atmospheric particles, highlighting the lack of resilience in 1992 aircraft systems to single event effects caused by cosmic rays.

• What are cosmic rays and how do they affect computer systems?

  Cosmic rays are high energy particles primarily made up of protons, helium nuclei, and other heavier nuclei that come from exploding stars, supernova, and black holes. When they collide with Earth's atmosphere, they produce a cascade of particles. These cosmic rays can cause bit flips in computer systems, leading to glitches in video games, crashes of supercomputers, and disruptions in flight computers.

• Why did the exposure to natural radioactive materials in ceramic cause bit flips in microchips?

  Exposure to uranium and thorium in ceramic led to bit flips in microchips due to single event upsets caused by alpha particles. This phenomenon was initially observed through early experiments on radioactivity and ionizing radiation, including the discovery of radiation originating from the sky during balloon flights at high altitudes.

• What caused the inflation of votes in Belgium's 2003 election recount?

  The inflation of votes was caused by a mysterious computer error linked to radioactive atoms in the microchip's packaging. The 13th bit representing 4,096 votes had flipped from zero to one due to single event upsets caused by alpha particles.

• 00:00 A recount in Belgium revealed inflated votes due to a strange computer error. The issue stemmed from radioactive atoms flipping bits in the microchip's packaging, causing the votes to be miscounted.
• 04:01 Exposure to natural radioactive materials in ceramic led to bit flips in microchips due to single event upsets caused by alpha particles. Early studies on radioactivity and ionizing radiation led to the discovery of radiation coming from the sky.
• 07:53 Cosmic rays are high energy particles from space, primarily made up of protons, helium nuclei, and other heavier nuclei. They come from exploding stars, supernova, and black holes, and can be deflected by magnetic fields in space. They collide with air molecules in the Earth's atmosphere, creating a cascade of particles. They have been observed through cloud chambers, leading to the discovery of anti-matter and other particles.
• 11:49 Cosmic rays can cause bit flips in computer systems, affecting everything from video game glitches to supercomputers and flight computers. These bit flips have led to crashes and glitches, prompting measures like software auto saves and neutron detectors in high-altitude facilities.
• 15:22 An Airbus A330 experienced a significant altitude drop due to a bit flip, injuring passengers. The incident was attributed to a single event effect caused by high-energy atmospheric particles, highlighting the lack of resilience in 1992 aircraft systems. The space shuttle, on the other hand, had built-in redundancy to mitigate soft errors caused by cosmic rays.
• 19:12 Protecting electronics from radiation is crucial for space missions. The Perseverance Rover's 20-year-old radiation-hardened computer ensures mission success. Cosmic rays can affect electronics and genetic codes, but problem-solving skills, like those taught on Brilliant, are essential for tackling these challenges.