Effect of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field on the Propagation of Cosmic Rays

Download or read book Effect of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field on the Propagation of Cosmic Rays written by Kenneth G. McCracken and published by . This book was released on 1968 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report presents a study of cosmic-ray propagation in the interplanetary magnetic field using spacecraft and neutron monitor data. Improved methods have been developed for mapping cosmic ray flux as a function of direction and time. This cosmic-ray mapping technique made possible a detailed study of the Forbush decrease observed on January 20, 1966. Using numerical filtration techniques developed for the purpose, demi-diurnal and dirunal components of cosmic radiation were studied. Two distinctly different anisotropies were identified in the course of studying the interrelationship of cosmic ray anistropy and the interplanetary magnetic field. One anisotropy is due to convective removal of cosmic radiation from the solar system by the radial flow of the solar wind. The other is due to diffusion of the cosmic radiation parallel to the lines of force of the interplanetary magnetic field. Temporal variability of Pioneer VII data during high counting rate periods has been studied. Study of some five days of data indicates continuous fluctuation of the cosmic radiation flux, with periods as short as five minutes occurring frequenctly. No diminution of fluctuation amplitude with time was observed. (Author).