| Popis: |
The data on the 1975 Lexan event are reexamined in a framework that does not depend on the details of a particular track model. Instead, visual measurements of two quantities, photographic evidence, and silver-grain densities measured with an automated microscopic-image dissector are cited. It is shown that throughout the detector stack the particle had a roughly constant value of absolute Z/beta of about 109-114 based on energy deposition at radial distance less than about 0.01 micron. Its energy deposition at radial distance greater than about 20 microns was incompatible with that expected from any known cosmic ray nucleus with Z/beta in this range. A monopole is ruled out, and the three candidates compatible with the data are: (1) a slow, supermassive particle with beta about 0.4, charge about 45e, and mass above 1000-10,000 amu; (2) a fast antinucleus with Z/beta about -109 to -114 and absolute Z between 76 and 96; and (3) a very fast nucleus with Z about 110-114 and beta above about 0.99. |
