Abstract
Evidence of time variations in the cosmic-ray directional intensity distribution has been obtained, by a statistical analysis of directional intensity measurements carried out at St. Louis in 1943. The variations, occurring within periods of twelve to twenty-eight hours, seem most pronounced near zenith angles of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the east-west plane, and are not found in the north-south plane. These observations would appear to be explained by the effect of terrestrial magnetic fluctuations in modifying the allowed cones of certain primary cosmic-ray particles, these particles having energies grouped near 0.2 St\"ormer and 0.6 St\"ormer. If this hypothesis is correct, the east-west positional symmetry of these variations constitutes new evidence, supporting previous evidence of Schremp, that positive and negative particles with the same $\frac{e}{m}$ exist in the primary cosmic radiation. Earlier results of Ribner, Cooper, and Schremp, on the static fine structure pattern of cosmic-ray directional intensity, are also supported by the present data. The time variations in the intensity distribution reported here are variations in the fine structure pattern, but appear to be independent of the static prominences previously reported. The method for rapid exploration of the cosmic-ray directional intensity distribution is described. The multidirectional cosmic-ray telescope used is discussed in some detail.
Published Version
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