Origin of cosmic rays. I. Observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 3310

Journal Article · Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164146· OSTI ID:5381297

Duric, N; Seaquist, E R; Crane, P C; Davis, L E

An observational technique is presented for addressing the problem of the origin of cosmic rays in galaxies by determining and comparing the distributions of cosmic rays, stars, and thermal gas. It is argued that optical continuum, emission line, and radio continuum imaging can be used to determine the distributions of the major stellar populations, the ionized gas, and the cosmic rays in galactic disks. An application of the technique is demonstrated by presenting and discussing observations of the spiral galaxy, NGC 3310. A preliminary analysis points to a possible spiral arm origin but argues against conventional models of cosmic-ray production such as supernova remnants. 38 references.

• Research Organization: Toronto Univ., Canada; National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro, NM; Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ
• OSTI ID: 5381297
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 304
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIATION
ORIGIN
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
EMISSION SPECTRA
GALAXIES
IONIZED GASES
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
RADIOASTRONOMY
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STARS
ASTRONOMY
CONFIGURATION
DISTRIBUTION
FLUIDS
GASES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
640101* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmic Radiation