Models for the origin of the knee in the cosmic-ray spectrum

Abstract

Abstract A sudden steepening of the cosmic-ray energy spectrum (the knee) is observed at an energy of about 3 PeV (1 PeV = 10 15 eV). The experimental study of the PeV cosmic rays has intensified greatly during the last 3 years. The recent results on extensive air showers allow us to conclude that: a) the knee has an astrophysical origin; b) the ‘sharpness’ and the fine structure of the knee rule out ‘Galactic Modulation’ as the origin of the knee; c) most likely the knee is the result of the explosion of a single, recent, nearby supernova.