Neo:
> The problem with the cosmic rays theory
> is that it would effect electronics devices everywhere
> so you would not just have runaway Priuses but
> other electronic devices going nuts too.
I'm an astrophotographer. I use very sensitive purpose-built
astronomical CCD cameras. _Every_ frame I expose has one or more
"cosmic-ray hits" -- pixels that are fully saturated because a cosmic
ray triggered the release of electrons within the pixel itself,
overwhelming the electrons that were released when photons from the
desired target struck that pixel.
"Going nuts" is not a scientific description of anything, so I can't
comment on it. I can tell you, however, that cosmic rays are constantly
impinging on all microelectronics and that the result is often not
evident (it may be inconsequential; imagine a well regulated source that
is supposed to supply 9 VDC but that momentarily supplies 9.001 VDC,
e.g.) and usually not predictable (the CCD pixel saturation being an
exception in that is very reliably predictable).
>
> From what I've seen so far the Prius
> electronics seem to be shielded and protected as
> well as any other car.
There is no way to block the highest energy cosmic rays. Some of them
pass through the Earth unhindered.
Davoud
-- Posted via iPhone
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> is that it would effect electronics devices everywhere
> so you would not just have runaway Priuses but
> other electronic devices going nuts too.