A recent study from scientists at the Technical University of Denmark provides new evidence that cosmic rays play a role in cloud formation, thus affecting our climate.

Cosmic rays are a form of fast-moving, high-energy radiation that emanates from the sun or from sources light years away from our solar system.

According to the study, as cosmic rays interact with the atmosphere, they produce ions, charged atomic particles, which helps form and grow cloud condensation nuclei, which are particles needed to produce clouds.

The Danish scientists write that the number of these cloud condensation nuclei varies whenever ionization in the atmosphere changes.

The presence of these particles can alter the properties of clouds, and the study suggests more particles can mean more clouds, a colder climate, and vice versa.