Some Astrophysical Implications of Recent Measurements on the Intensity of Cosmic-Ray Electrons

Abstract

We have extended our recent measurements on the extraterrestrial cosmic ray electron spectrum, this spectrum now being determined over the energy range from ~15 MeV to 6 GeV. The extraterrestrial electron intensity between 15 MeV and 200 MeV can be determined unambiguously by studying the diurnal variation of these particles. We have also measured the effects of the 11-year solar modulation on the electrons, thus enabling the electron spectrum observed near the Earth to be extrapolated to the local region of the spiral arm. It is the purpose of this paper to relate these measurements to: (i) calculations of ‘secondary’ electrons produced by cosmic ray nuclei moving in the Galaxy; and(ii) the observations of non-thermal radio emission from disk components of the Galaxy.