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NASA NTRS1986

The isotopes of hydrogen and helium in the Galactic cosmic radiation - Their source abundances and interstellar propagation

A self-consistent model describing the interstellar propagation of Galactic cosmic radiation is developed using low-energy measurements and calculations of the effects of interstellar propagation and solar modulation. The source ratio H-1/He-4 at constant energy per nucleon is determined to be 12.2 + or - 1.5, and the mean path length for an exponential path length weighting function required to account for the data is 7.2 + or - 1.0 g/sq cm. The measured H-2/He-4 and He-3/He-4 ratios do not vary by more than about 30 percent over the solar cycle. The behavior of the ratios during the solar cycle reflects the energy dependence of the local interstellar ratios, and leads to an energy dependence of the mean path length below 1 GeV per nucleon weaker than that inferred from boron/carbon. The source ratio H-1/He-4 inferred from the low-energy data is consistent both with the value inferred from high-energy cosmic ray data using a model of rigidity-dependent confinement and with the solar system abundance ratio.

Beatty, James J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Formation of a compound stream between 0.85 AU and 6.2 AU and its effects on solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays

This paper describes the formation of a compound stream as a result of the interaction and coalescence of a series of five streams (a slow transient stream, two corotating streams, and two exceptionally fast transient streams) observed by the Helios B (HB) satellite near 0.85 AU. The compound stream and two merged interaction regions were also observed by the Voyager 1 satellite near 6.2 AU when it was nearly radially aligned with the HB. Closely associated with this compound stream was one of the largest solar energetic particle events observed beyond 5 AU. The relationship of this compound stream and its magnetic fields to the intensity profiles of solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays is discussed.

Burlaga, L. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Far-ultraviolet background observations at high galactic latitude. II - Diffuse emission

A single spectrum, of extremely long integration time, is used to place stringent new limits on the diffuse far-UV background in the 500-1200 A region. This spectrum, obtained in the vicinity of the North Galactic Pole with the Voyager 2 UV spectrometer, can be explained solely on the basis of resonant scattering from interplanetary H I and He I. Limits on any additional sources of sky background radiation corresponding to 100-200 photons/sq cm per sec/sr per A for continuum emission and 6000 photons/sq cm per sec/sr for line emission are demonstrated. Comparisons of these upper limits with existing measurements and various potential source mechanisms are discussed. The first detection of resonantly scattered interplanetary H I Ly-gamma (973 A) emission is reported.

Holberg, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The collision of high-velocity clouds with a galactic disk

Two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations for the interaction of high-velocity clouds with a galactic disk are presented. The impinging clouds are assumed to be spherical and the target disk is represented by a constant density slab, n(g) = 1/cu cm, with a total width W(g) = 200 pc. The numerical experiments cover a wide range of cloud densities, between 0.1 and 100/cu cm, and velocities between 100 and 300 km/s. At a time approximately 10 to the 7th yr after impact, two types of final configurations are found. In the first case, the infalling cloud is completely shocked in a time short compared with the crossing time of the disk. Then, the generated cavity has time to grow sideways and large scale structures with a round shape, and in some cases nearly spherical, are produced. In the second case, which occurs for high density clouds, the cloud is shocked on a time scale longer than or comparable to the crossing time. The resultant cylindrical holes drilled across the entire disk have the dimensions of the impinging cloud. Cloud-galaxy interactions are compared with other energy sources and the morphologies of the resultant structures are suggested to resemble the large scale structures observed in H I.

Tenorio-Tagle, G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in a galactic wind and its termination shock

Results are reported from numerical modeling of the acceleration and transport of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in a galactic wind and its termination shock. A two-dimensional (azimuthally symmetric) wind and spiral magnetic field, with a spherical termination shock, where the velocity drops suddenly, is assumed. The time-dependent cosmic-ray transport equation, including all major transport effects is solved using an implicit finite-difference scheme. Particles are injected as the shock of low energy, and the subsequent evolution of the distribution function is followed. Iron nuclei are readily accelerated at the shock to energies up to 100 billion GeV, and protons to 10 billion GeV. A major effect aiding the acceleration of these particles is the spiral of the magnetic field carried out by the wind, caused by the rotation of the Galaxy, with the result that the shock is nearly normal over most of its area. Increasing the magnetic field or rotation rate increases the maximum energy attainable. Anisotropies and energy densities of the particles are also discussed. It is concluded that the process is consistent with observations of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.

Jokipii, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The galactic environment of the solar system

The general features of the galactic environment of the solar system are described. The principal components of the distribution of matter in the solar vicinity are discussed. Special emphasis is placed upon the question of determining the total amount of matter in the vicinity of the sun.

Bahcall, John N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Latitudinal and radial gradients of anomalous and galactic cosmic rays in the outer heliosphere

Measurements from instruments on Voyagers 1 and 2 and Pioneer 10 are used to derive simultaneous radial and latitudinal gradients of anomalous cosmic-ray oxygen during the latter part of 1985. It is found that in the energy interval from 7.1-30.6 MeV/nucleon the latitudinal gradient is -3 to -4 percent/deg. The sign of the latitudinal gradient is opposite to that reported for the last solar cycle when the solar magnetic field polarity was reversed, as predicted by propagation models in which curvature and gradient drifts are significant. The ratios of the radial and latitudinal gradients of anomalous oxygen, anomalous helium, and galactic cosmic rays are similar, also in agreement with drift theory predictions. Based on drift theory, these observed ratios, which are near unity, lead to estimates of the perpendicular diffusion coefficient/particle velocity ratio in the range 3-8 x 10 to the 22nd sq cm/sec at 24.9 AU for particles with rigidities of about 2-3 GV.

Cummings, A. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Observations of Galactic gamma-radiation with the SMM spectrometer

Preliminary results from the SMM gamma-ray spectrometer are reported which indicate the detection of a constant source of 0.511-MeV annihilation radiation from the Galaxy. Year-to-year variability appears to be less than 30 percent. The radiation probably comes from a diffuse source and is not associated with the reported compact object at the Galactic center.

Share, G. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The composition of Galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles

The progress made by U.S. researchers during 1983-1986 in studies on the composition of the Galactic cosmic-ray source (GCRS) and solar energetic particles (SEP) is reviewed. New information concerning element abundances in GCRS (obtained from HEAO-3 data) and SEP composition in large flares and (He-3)-rich events (from data obtained by the Voyager and ISEE spacecraft) was used to obtain direct correlation between the GCRS and SEP compositions. For elements heavier than He, the linear correlation coefficient beween the points was 0.96, and the slope of the least-squares fit line was found to be 1.01 + or - 0.01. Hydrogen and helium are more abundant in the SEP than in the GCRS. The close resemblance between the SEP composition and the GCRS composition means that the ratio of SEP abundances to solar-system abundances shows a correlation with the first ionization potential.

Mason, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Galactic cosmic rays and anomalous components in the heliosphere

The progress made during 1983-1986 by U.S scientists on modulation of Galactic cosmic rays by the sun and on the origin, acceleration, and modulation of the anomalous components in the heliosphere is reviewed. In these years, simultaneous observations of modulation, covering a radial range from 1 to more than 30 AU and a heliospheric latitude range from 0 to greater than 20 deg, made it possible to investigate directly the dynamics and spatial scale of modulation during both the increasing and declining phases of solar activity and to make in situ correlations between changes in the interplanetary medium and changes in the modulation of cosmic rays. Particular attention is given to the use of the observations related to time-dependent modulation effects, curvature drifts, and anomalous components, as well as of the measurements of the cosmic-ray radial gradients and latitudinal intensity variations, in the modeling of solar modulation effects.

Mckibben, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Are the Galactic-bulge X-ray sources magnetized?

This paper attempts to demonstrate that a better understanding of Galactic-bulge X-ray sources can be achieved if their magnetic moments are assumed to have the same values as those of young pulsars. It is argued that most of the matter leaving the inner edge of the accretion disk can reach the neutron star's surface in the form of massive clumps in quasi-Keplerian orbits. As a result, most of the accretion flow covers a broad equatorial belt rather than the polar caps, and the star shines as an almost unpulsed source. The liberation of half of the accretion power before the surface is reached can lead to the reported UHE pulses and bright infrared bursts. Spasmodic accretion is discussed as a model for gamma-ray bursts, and the observed low-energy X-ray absorption features are considered as an indication of strong magnetic fields shifted to lower energies during super-Eddington outbursts.

Kundt, W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A benchmark for galactic cosmic ray transport codes

A nontrivial analytic benchmark solution for galactic cosmic ray transport is presented for use in transport code validation. Computational accuracy for a previously-developed cosmic ray transport code is established to within one percent by comparison with this exact benchmark. Hence, solution accuracy for the transport problem is mainly limited by inaccuracies in the input spectra, input interaction databases, and the use of a straight ahead/velocity-conserving approximation.

Wilson, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Coherence effects on quasi-periodic oscillations from Galactic X-ray sources

Shot noise models provide a useful mathematical representation for some physical models for the quasi-periodic oscillations recently observed from several Galactic bulge and burst X-ray sources. For such models, correlations between the shot onset times and oscillation phases can have important effects on the expected autocorrelation function and power spectrum, with important consequences for the interpretation of observed power spectra. Making use of analytic and Monte Carlo techniques, two physically plausible correlations of this kind, one corresponding to drift and jitter in the oscillation phase and the other to a random walk in the oscillation phase, are examined.

Elsner, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The theory of the Galactic magnetic field

The paper discusses the role of the magnetic field in determining the large scale structure and dynamics of the interstellar medium. It then discusses the origin and maintenance of the Galactic field. The two major competing theories are that the field is primordial and connected to an intergalactic field or that the field is removed from and regenerated within the Galaxy. Finally, cosmic ray acceleration and confinement in the interstellar medium are discussed.

Zweibel, Ellen G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Solar modulation of galactic antiprotons

Galactic antiproton data of current interest lie in an energy regime heavily influenced by solar modulation. Correcting for it needs to be done more carefully than it has been in the past. The well-known force-field analytic approximation of the spherically-symmetric, steady-state, cosmic-ray transport equation is applied in order to account for modulation down to at least 100 MeV. A sample solution which applies to the currently available antiproton data set (1979-80), and can be used to accurately modulate any possible interstellar antiproton spectrum, is given. The solution is easily adapted for comparison to future measurements. It also shows that boosting the low-energy (less than 600 MeV) side of the interstellar antiproton spectrum will not affect the low-energy spectrum at 1 AU, due to strong adiabatic deceleration during that time.

Perko, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

High-resolution X-ray and radio images of the galactic SNR G39.2-0.3

Images of the galactic supernova remnant G39.2-0.3 at radio, infrared, and X-ray wavelengths are presented. The 6 and 20 cm VLA maps reveal a shell-brightened source with substantial emission in the central regions and a rather high degree of linear polarization throughout; no significant spectral variations over the face of the remnant are apparent. The Einstein X-ray image also shows emission from both the limb and the central region, while the IRAS data show no flux that can be unambiguously associated with the remnant, although an uncataloged small H II region is seen adjacent to the shell. It is concluded that, contrary to previous suggestions, there is no evidence for a Crab-like component in G39.2-0.3, and that the central emission plateau is most likely simply a shell filament which happens to fall across the center of the remnant.

Becker, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A non-thermal axially symmetric radio wake towards the Galactic centre

A highly unusual radio source lying within 1 deg of the Galactic center has been discovered whose 'cometary' morphology suggests that it is a wake produced by a radio source moving supersonically with respect to the ambient interstellar medium. Maps of the source are shown, and its characteristics are discussed. Two possible models which might explain the wake are suggested.

Yusef-Zadeh, Farhad↗

NASA NTRS1987

Positron annihilation at the Galactic center

The efficiency of production of positrons by gamma-gamma interaction under conditions which may occur in the Galactic center. Their annihilation line and three-photon annihilation continuum contribute to the emitted radiation. If a geometrical model is assumed, it will be possible to determine the parameters of the gamma-ray source region. By comparing the computed spectra to observations, a rough estimate is made using extant data.

Carrigan, B. J.↗