Ionization states of low-energy cosmic rays - Results from Spacelab 3 cosmic-ray experiment

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (10) References (38) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Ionization States of Low-Energy Cosmic Rays: Results from Spacelab 3 Cosmic-Ray Experiment Dutta, A. ; Goswami, J. N. ; Biswas, S. ; Durgaprasad, N. ; Mitra, B. ; Singh, R. K. Abstract The Indian cosmic ray experiment Anuradha, conducted onboard Spacelab 3 during April 29-May 6, 1985 was designed to obtain information on the ionization states of low-energy cosmic rays, using the geomagnetic field as a rigidity filter to place an upper limit on the ionization state of individual cosmic ray particles. This paper presents data confirming the presence of three distinct groups of energetic particles in the near-earth space: (1) low-energy (15-25 MeV/nucleon) anomalous cosmic rays that are either singly ionized or consistent with their being in singly ionized state, (2) fully ionized galactic cosmic ray ions, and (3) partially ionized iron and sub-iron group ions (which account for about 20 percent of all the iron and sub-iron group ions detected at the Spacelab 3 orbit within the magnetosphere in the energy interval 25-125 MeV/nucleon). It is argued that these partially ionized heavy ions are indeed a part of the low-energy galactic cosmic rays present in the interplanetary space. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: July 1993 DOI: 10.1086/172844 Bibcode: 1993ApJ...411..418D Keywords: Energetic Particles; Galactic Cosmic Rays; Heavy Ions; Magnetospheric Ion Density; Spacelab; Weak Energy Interactions; Geomagnetism; Interplanetary Space; Ionization Cross Sections; Metal Ions; Space Radiation; ISM: COSMIC RAYS full text sources ADS |