Abstract
The consequences of Baade and Zwicky's super-nova hypothesis for cosmic rays are pursued under the assumption that the very penetrating part of the cosmic rays assumed to be produced by super-novae are protons. For two recent super-novae in near spirals (Messier 101 and the Andromeda Nebula the energy and range of rays now arriving is calculated (Table 1). Assuming an expansion of the universe according to the general theory of relativity, which started a finite time ago, and an exponential energy distribution of the rays arriving (Clay), approximate expressions are derived for the general ionisation I of cosmic radiation and for the ionisation I′ of the radiation from a special super-nova. It is shown that the latter quantity I′ for the two super-novae produces a variation with sidereal time, which comes within the possibility of future measurements if performed at great water depths, since for the Andromeda Super-nova an effect of the order 0.04% of the observed cosmic ray intensity at sea level is expected. Some indications in existing observations, discussed in a provisional communication (Naturwissenschaften 23, 867, 1935 have turned out to be partly accidental, so that more accurate observations are needed. Observations of this kind by Clay and his collaborators are now in progress in a mine at Kerkrade, and the nature of the variations to be expected at different depths for this location is discussed more in detail (Fig. 2). A possible effect of galactic super-novae in the higher layers of the atmosphere and at high magnetic latitudes is also briefly considered.
Published Version
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