Intensity of primary cosmic-ray electrons of energy exceeding 8 GeV

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (23) References (28) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Intensity of primary cosmic-ray electrons of energy >8 GeV. Freier, P. ; Gilman, C. ; Waddington, C. J. Abstract Results are reported for measurement of the intensity and energy spectrum of primary cosmic-ray electrons with a spark-chamber-counter-emulsion detector flown at a mean altitude of 3 g/sq cm residual atmosphere. A least-squares fit to the flight data yields an electron spectrum from 8 to 80 GeV of approximately 93E to the -2.91 power electrons/sq m/sec per sr/GeV. The results are compared with those of previous experiments as well as with the spectrum obtained for galactic nonthermal radiation. It is concluded that a 'clumpy' magnetic field proportional to the square root of matter density is consistent with measurements of high-energy electrons and synchrotron radiation toward the center of the Galaxy, that a gradual steepening of the electron spectrum relative to the proton spectrum is consistent with an electron lifetime of 1 million years, and that the density of cosmic-ray nucleons and electrons should be essentially uniform throughout the Galaxy if the nucleons have the same lifetime as the electrons and if they traversed 4 to 5 g/sq cm in that lifetime. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: April 1977 DOI: 10.1086/155190 Bibcode: 1977ApJ...213..588F Keywords: Energy Spectra; High Energy Electrons; Interstellar Magnetic Fields; Primary Cosmic Rays; Radiation Measurement; Synchrotron Radiation; Cosmic Ray Showers; Electron Energy; Life (Durability); Nonthermal Radiation; Radiation Detectors; Radio Spectra; Spark Chambers; Space Radiation full text sources ADS |