Victor Francis Hess

Victor Francis Hess was a physicist who discovered cosmic radiation, high-energy particles from space, in the early 20th century. Through balloon experiments ascending to high altitudes, he observed that radiation levels increased with altitude, indicating their extraterrestrial origin. Hess's work proved that our planet is continuously bombarded by radiation from space, fundamentally advancing our understanding of the universe and leading to the field of astrophysics. His discoveries earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1936, highlighting his significant contribution to science.