Energy spectra of the main groups of galactic cosmic rays in the model of three classes of sources

We suggest a model to consistently describe the available experimental data on the elemental cosmic-ray energy spectra obtained in direct measurements and to make a smooth transition to the spectrum of all particles measured with extensive air showers. The model suggests the existence of three class...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astronomy letters 2007-01, Vol.33 (1), p.25-33
Main Authors: Zatsepin, V I, Sokolskaya, N V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cosmic ray showers
Cosmic rays
Energy spectra
Explosions
Galactic cosmic rays
Interstellar matter
Interstellar medium
Rigidity
Supernova
Supernovae
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Summary:We suggest a model to consistently describe the available experimental data on the elemental cosmic-ray energy spectra obtained in direct measurements and to make a smooth transition to the spectrum of all particles measured with extensive air showers. The model suggests the existence of three classes of cosmic-ray sources--shocks from supernova explosions that produce power-law rigidity spectra with different maximum rigidities and different spectral indices. The shocks from high-mass supernovae exploding in OB associations are assumed to be the most powerful class of sources. This class of sources accelerates cosmic rays to a maximum rigidity of 4 X 10 V. The shocks from nonassociated supernovae exploding into a random interstellar medium are assumed to be the next class (in order of decreasing power). This class of sources accelerates cosmic rays to a maximum rigidity of 5 X 10 V. The third, weakest class of sources is assumed to accelerate cosmic rays to a maximum rigidity of 2 X 10 V. Nova explosions could be possible physical objects in this class.
ISSN:1063-7737
1562-6873
DOI:10.1134/S1063773707010033