A MODEL FOR THE ORIGIN AND PROPERTIES OF THE COSMIC RAY RIGIDITY SPECTRUM,

Abstract

A model is proposed to explain a number of features of the differential rigidity spectra of the nuclear component of the primary cosmic radiation. A supernova explosion is assumed to result in the acceleration of nuclei to a pure power law rigidity spectrum and a composition relatively rich in heavy and medium weight nuclei. The supernova remnant into which these particles are injected is characterized as a large scale trapping region resulting from predominantly closed magnetic field lines which partially isolate the region from the surrounding galactic space. This feature of the supernova region is represented by a dipole-like field. Superimposed on this field we assume that magnetic irregularities produce a certain amount of distortion of the field lines in the interior of the source; and irregularities along the periphery of the source lead to local distortions of the field and hence, a mixing of galactic and source field lines in the neighborhood of these irregularities. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 15, 1966
Accession Number
AD0633079

Entities

People

  • G. Skadron
  • M. F. Kaplon

Organizations

  • University of Rochester

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundaries
  • Cosmic Rays
  • Distortion
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Explosions
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Particles
  • Radiation
  • Rigidity
  • Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Solar Physics
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space