Named Amaterasu, after the sun goddess in Japanese mythology, this rare particle of unknown origin falling to Earth let off one of the highest-energy cosmic rays ever detected.
Experts have been left wondering how the event could have happened, as the particle appeared to emerge from the Local Void, an empty area of space bordering the Milky Way galaxy.
'What the heck is going on?': Scientists stunned by mysterious particle hurtling towards Earth itv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from itv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
'Unprecedented' cosmic ray sent from 'invisible corridor' in deep space detected on Earth dailystar.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailystar.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.