Spectral shape of cosmic rays over the Galaxy

Abstract

In a previous paper (see ibid., vol.10, p.843 (1977)) the authors pointed out that there is fairly strong evidence for the intensity of cosmic ray positrons being lower than that expected from interactions of cosmic ray nuclei with interstellar matter using the simple 'leaky box' model. More general models of propagation of Galactic cosmic ray nuclei and positrons are examined and the discrepancy is present for other models too; only if the shape of the cosmic ray spectrum varies from place to place in the Galaxy does it appear possible to reconcile the positron data.