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At least 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

The cosmic-ray isotopes

Aspects and implications of isotopic abundance measurements are discussed, taking into account the elemental abundance distribution of the cosmic radiation and the solar system abundances normalized to C. An interesting outcome of observations on cosmic ray isotopes is the determination of the span of time that elapses between nucleosynthesis and acceleration of the particles. This has an immediate bearing on the question whether explosive nucleosynthesis and particle acceleration occur simultaneously, or whether these two phases in the production of cosmic rays are separate. The absence of Co-57, Ti-44, and Ni-59 with K-capture decay rates of approximately 1 yr, 50 yr, and 100,000 yr respectively in the cosmic ray flux would indicate that the time between nucleosynthesis and acceleration would be greater than 1, 50, or 100,000 yr, respectively.

Meyer, P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The mean mass of the abundant cosmic-ray nuclei from boron to silicon at 1.2 GeV per atomic mass unit

Results are presented for an investigation of cosmic-ray isotopic composition in which a balloon-borne instrument was used to perform an isotopic analysis of the abundant elements from B through Si in the energy range from 1.0 to 1.6 GeV/amu. The technique employed, which depends on the effect of earth's magnetic field on incoming cosmic rays, and reduction of the observational data are described in detail. Mean masses of the elements B, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, and Si are extracted from normalized Cerenkov spectra and evaluated in terms of the 'leaky box' model of galactic propagation and confinement. The implications of the results for cosmic-ray sources are shown to be consistent with the nucleosynthesis of certain isotopes in the cosmic rays in explosive carbon burning under the conditions of peak temperature, density, and neutronization expected in an explosion of a massive highly evolved star. The possibility of alternate interpretations is noted.

Dwyer, R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Diffuse fluxes of cosmic high-energy neutrinos

Production spectra of high-energy neutrinos from galactic cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar gas and extragalactic ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray interactions with microwave blackbody photons are presented and discussed. These production processes involve the decay of charged pions and are thus related to the production of cosmic gamma rays from the decay of neutral pions. Estimates of the neutrino fluxes from various diffuse cosmic sources are then made, and the reasons for significant differences with previous estimates are discussed. Small predicted event rates for a DUMAND (deep underwater muon and neutrino detector) type detection system, combined with a possible significant flux of prompt neutrinos from the atmosphere above 50 TeV, may make the study of diffuse extraterrestrial neutrinos more difficult than previously thought.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The spectrum of cosmic electrons with energies between 6 and 100 GeV

Final results are reported concerning the spectrum of 6-100-GeV cosmic-ray electrons observed during a balloon exposure of approximately 3500 sq m-s-sr at an average depth of 4.8 g/sq cm. The spectral intensity of primary cosmic-ray electrons is found to have a power-law dependence on electron energy with an index of 3.4 + or - 0.1; the ground-level spectrum of secondary cosmic-ray electrons is also shown to be a power-law spectrum, but with an index of 2.9 + or - 0.1. The observed spectrum, which is significantly steeper than the nuclear spectrum, is interpreted as a fully steepened one reflecting an equilibrium between injection and energy loss. It is suggested that the confinement volume for cosmic rays extends beyond the galactic disk and includes a halo of reduced gas density where the Compton-synchrotron mechanism operates but the probability of nuclear interactions is small.

Meegan, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evidence for the deficiency of short cosmic ray pathlengths and a physically realistic explanation - The no-near-sources model

Recent observations of the charge and energy spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei are used to construct secondary-to-primary charge ratios at the two ends of the charge spectrum. These ratios are found to be inconsistent with the ad hoc leaky-box model of cosmic-ray propagation which leads to an exponential pathlength distribution. Models for which the pathlength distribution function is deficient in short pathlengths provide a more consistent picture. Several of these models, both ad hoc and physical, are investigated. The physical model considered is one for which detailed galactic propagation parameters and boundary conditions are used and for which there exist no near sources of cosmic rays over a time interval corresponding to a few times the cosmic-ray age.

Lezniak, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The isotopes of neon in the galactic cosmic rays

The paper examines the results obtained by the University of Chicago instrument on board the IMP 7 satellite used to measure the abundances of Ne-20 and Ne-22 in the galactic cosmic rays during 1973-1977, over the general energy range of 60-230 MeV per nucleon. It is reported that the instrument shows a mass resolution of 0.7 amu(sigma) which was confirmed by calibrating a backup instrument at the LBL Bevalac with separated beams of neon isotopes. Through the use of standard solar modulation and cosmic-ray propagation models, the cosmic-ray source ratio inferred is Ne-22/Ne-20 = 0.38 = or -0.07 which is significantly greater than the present solar system ratio. It is concluded that propagation effects or cross-section uncertainties cannot account for such a large abundance of Ne-22, and thus this measurement provides evidence that the cosmic rays come from a source region where the Ne-22 abundance is substantially greater than in solar system material.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The isotopic composition of galactic cosmic-ray iron nuclei

High-resolution observations made in interplanetary space of 83-284 MeV per nucleon galactic cosmic-ray iron isotopes are reported and it is directly established that Fe-56 is the dominant cosmic-ray Fe isotope. The following percentage abundances for Fe at the cosmic-ray source are found: Fe-54 = 9(+8, -5)%, Fe-55 is less than or equal to 7%, Fe-56 = 91(+5, -11)%, Fe-57 is less than or equal to 8%, and Fe-58 is less than or equal to 6%. When compared to calculated nucleosynthesis yields and other observations, these results place significant constraints on the neutron excess of the environment where cosmic-ray Fe originates.

Mewaldt, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The isotopic composition of neon and magnesium in the low energy cosmic rays

The ratios Ne-22/Ne-20 and Mg-26/Mg-24 were measured in galactic cosmic rays by the IMP-7 satellite in the 60 to 230 MeV/nucleon range. The neon cosmic ray source ratio Ne-22/Ne-20 is about 0.38, which is much larger than the current solar system relationship; the Mg data agrees with the solar system isotopic ratio of 0.14 at the cosmic ray source. The Ne and Mg source ratios are explained by supernova models, and become a new constraint which should be satisfied by any model of cosmic ray origin.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Cosmic ray synthesis of organic molecules in Titan's atmosphere

The possible synthesis of organic molecules by the absorption of galactic cosmic rays in an N2-CH4-H2 Titan model atmosphere has been studied. The cosmic-ray-induced ionization results in peak electron densities of 2000/cu cm, with NH(+), C3H9(+), and C4H9(+) being among the important positive ions. Details of the ion and neutral chemistry relevant to the production of organic molecules are discussed. The potential importance of N(2D) reactions with CH4 and H2 is also demonstrated. Although the integrated production rate of organic matter due to the absorption of the cosmic ray cascade is much less than that by solar ultraviolet radiation, the production of nitrogen-bearing organic molecules by cosmic rays may be greater.

Capone, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A cosmic-ray-mediated shock in the solar system

It is pointed out that the flare-induced blast wave of Aug. 4, 1972, the most violent disturbance in the solar wind on record, produced cosmic rays with an efficiency of about 50%. Such a high efficiency is predicted by the self-regulating production model of cosmic-ray origin in shocks. Most interplanetary shocks, according to simple theoretical analysis, are not strong enough to produce cosmic rays efficiently. However, if shock strength is the key parameter governing efficiency, as present interplanetary data suggest, then shocks from supernova blasts, quasar outbursts, and other violent astrophysical phenomena should be extremely efficient sources of cosmic rays.

Eichler, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays

The current theory for the solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays is reviewed briefly. The four basic mechanisms which are important for modulation-diffusion, effects associated with the large-scale magnetic field, convection, and energy change - are discussed in simple terms. The equation which describes cosmic-ray behavior in the heliosphere is presented and some sample solutions are considered. It is pointed out that, although the basic mechanisms which describe the cosmic-ray behavior are understood, the actual cause of the variation in the cosmic-ray flux over the solar cycle, or over longer intervals, is beyond current comprehension.

Fisk, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Confinement of cosmic rays in molecular clouds

The consequences of cosmic ray production by a supernova in a molecular cloud are discussed. Self-trapping problems for a higher flux of cosmic rays in a molecular cloud are focused on. The column density of molecular clouds is probably too high to explain the majority of galactic cosmic ray sources, even allowing for fortuitous asymmetry in the placement of the supernova in the cloud, however, measurements of antiproton flux suggest that some cosmic ray sources do have a high column density. The large predicted gamma-ray luminosity of such a cloud invites comparison with COS-B sources.

Zweibel, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A measurement of the cosmic-ray antiproton flux and a search for antihelium

Balloon-borne instrument measurements are presented of the cosmic-ray antiproton flux between 130 and 320 MeV, as well as the results of a search for antihelium between 130 and 370 MeV per nuclear. The antiprotons are found to have a spectral shape similar to the protons, down to about 100 MeV. Calculations of the expected flux of these particles under the assumption that they were created by collisions of high-energy cosmic rays with the interstellar gas, using the standard leaky box model for propagation in the Galaxy, predict a flux two orders of magnitude smaller than that observed. The discrepancy between calculation and experiment may be evidence that cosmic-ray protons have passed through more than 5.0 g/sq cm of material during their lifetime. The search for cosmic-ray antihelium sets a 95% confidence level upper limit on the antihelium/helium ratio of 0.000022.

Buffington, A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Silver isotopic anomalies in iron meteorites - Cosmic-ray production and other possible sources

Sources of excess Ag-107 observed in iron meteorites are investigated with emphasis on reactions of cosmic-ray particles with palladium. Cross sections for the production of the silver isotopes from palladium by energetic cosmic-ray particles are estimated to calculate spallogenic production rates relative to that of Mn-53 from iron. The upper limits for the production rates of Ag-107 and Ag-109 by energetic galactic cosmic-ray particles are 690 and 270 atoms/min/kg(Pd), respectively, and the maximum rate for making excess Ag-107 by spallation reactions is 400 atoms/min/kg(Pd). The excess Ag-107 cannot be produced by a long exposure to cosmic-ray particles, and because it is harder to make the amount of Pd-107 observed in the iron meteorites by an early intense proton irradiation than it is to make the Al-26 observed in other meteorites, it is concluded that the excess Ag-107 is due to the decay of nucleosynthetic Pd-107 in the iron meteorites.

Reedy, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The charge and isotopic composition of Z equals 7-16 cosmic ray nuclei at their source

Using the combined data from our 1976 and 1977 balloon flights, the charge and isotopic composition of Z equals 7-16 cosmic ray nuclei have been determined. A low abundance of both N and Ne in the cosmic ray source relative to solar cosmic rays is observed. However, the cosmic ray source ratio, Ne-22/Ne is 2.75 plus or minus 0.42 times the solar ratio. A possible enhancement of the Mg-26/Mg ratio, which is 1.29 plus or minus 0.14 times the solar ratio is also observed.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Charge abundance of cosmic rays at their source

The relative charge abundance of galactic cosmic-ray nuclei is measured between 600 and 1000 MeV per nucleon over a range of Z from 2 to 28. The abundances observed at earth are extrapolated to the cosmic-ray source, yielding accurate source abundances for 15 elements. These abundances, together with recently measured isotopic abundance ratios, are compared with the average abundances observed in another sample of accelerated material - solar cosmic rays. Appreciable differences are found in the composition for the elements He, C, N, and Ne. The galactic and solar cosmic-ray abundances are also compared with a variety of compilations of unaccelerated matter.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Cosmic-ray record in solar system matter

The interaction of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar cosmic rays (SCR) with bodies in the solar system is discussed, and what the record of that interaction reveals about the history of the solar system is considered. The influence of the energy, charge, and mass of the particles on the interaction is addressed, showing long-term average fluxes of solar protons, predicted production rates for heavy-nuclei tracks and various radionuclides as a function of depth in lunar rock, and integral fluxes of protons emitted by solar flares. The variation of the earth's magnetic field, the gardening of the lunar surface, and the source of meteorites and cosmic dust are studied using the cosmic ray record. The time variation of GCR, SCR, and VH and VVH nuclei is discussed for both the short and the long term.

Reedy, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Galactic cosmic rays and N2 dissociation on Titan

The electromagnetic and particle cascade resulting from the absorption of galactic cosmic rays in the atmosphere of Titan is shown to be an important mechanism for driving the photochemistry at pressures of 1 to 50 mbar in the atmosphere. In particular, the cosmic ray cascade dissociates N2, a process necessary for the synthesis of nitrogen organics such as HCN. The important interactions of the cosmic ray cascade with the atmosphere are discussed. The N2 excitation and dissociation rates and the ionization rates of the principal atmospheric consituents are computed for a Titan model atmosphere that is consistent with Voyager 1 observations. It is suggested that HCN may be formed efficiently in the lower atmosphere through the photodissociation of methylamine. It is also argued that models of nitrogen and hydrocarbon photochemistry in the lower atmosphere of Titan should include the absorption of galactic cosmic rays as an important energy source.

Capone, L. A.↗