International Cosmic Day – cosmic particles connecting young people worldwide.
The 14th International Cosmic Day (ICD) took place on 13 November 2025, bringing together young people from around the world to explore the intriguing world of cosmic particles—mysterious messengers from space that continuously reach Earth. Schools, universities, and research institutions across more than 27 countries opened their doors for this global event.
Participants were guided by scientists and educators as they stepped into the role of researchers. During the ICD, students:
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Investigated fundamental questions in astroparticle physics,
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Conducted hands-on experiments such as measuring cosmic muons, and
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Connected with peers globally through international video conferences to discuss results and exchange ideas.
Throughout the day, students documented their findings in a joint international publication, showcasing how science transcends borders, languages, and cultures.
Kenyatta University’s Contributions
The Department of Physics at Kenyatta University actively took part in the ICD, building on its ongoing research and training in cosmic ray physics. The department’s work primarily focuses on the measurement and simulation of cosmic ray muons—an essential component of extensive air showers that provide insight into cosmic ray interactions in Earth’s atmosphere.
Participants at Kenyatta University had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of:
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The origin of cosmic rays,
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Their interactions in the atmosphere, and
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The techniques used to detect and measure them on Earth.
Special Activities and Online Participation
For the 2025 edition, the organizing team at DESY in Zeuthen offered a range of additional activities accessible to anyone worldwide. These included an online astroparticle physics quiz and creative competitions such as a drawing and selfie challenge on social media under the hashtag #internationalcosmicday.
Groups that were not located near a participating institution were still able to join the event through Cosmic@Web, a custom online platform developed by DESY. The platform provided access to real experimental data and user-friendly analysis tools, allowing students everywhere to engage with authentic research questions and contribute meaningful results.
About the International Cosmic Day
“The ICD combines experimental practice, international exchange, and creative engagement in a format that is both scientifically authentic and pedagogically inspiring,” noted Carolin Gnebner, scientific coordinator of astroparticle youth projects at DESY in Zeuthen. “It demonstrates that early exposure to real research fosters knowledge, curiosity, motivation, and scientific independence.”
The International Cosmic Day is an initiative of DESY, organized in cooperation with the International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG) and several national networks and partners. More information is available at the Global Cosmic Rays Portal and related DESY platforms.
Contact
Coordination Team
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Platanenallee 6, 15738 Zeuthen, Germany
Email: icd@desy.de
Website: https://icd.desy.de
Local Organizer
Prof. Nadir O. Hashim
Department of Physics, Kenyatta University
Email: hashim.nadir@ku.ac.ke