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Title: Constraints on the Origin of Cosmic Rays Above 1018 eV From Large-Scale Anisotropy Searches in Data of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal Letters
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A thorough search for large-scale anisotropies in the distribution of arrival directions of cosmic rays detected above 1018 eV at the Pierre Auger Observatory is reported. For the first time, these large-scale anisotropy searches are performed as a function of both the right ascension and the declination and expressed in terms of dipole and quadrupole moments. Within the systematic uncertainties, no significant deviation from isotropy is revealed. Upper limits on dipole and quadrupole amplitudes are derived under the hypothesis that any cosmic ray anisotropy is dominated by such moments in this energy range. Finally, these upper limits provide constraints on the production of cosmic rays above 1018 eV, since they allow us to challenge an origin from stationary galactic sources densely distributed in the galactic disk and emitting predominantly light particles in all directions.

Research Organization:
Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Contributing Organization:
Pierre Auger Collaboration
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-07CH11359
OSTI ID:
1057709
Report Number(s):
FERMILAB-PUB-12-653-AD-AE-CD-TD; arXiv eprint number arXiv:1212.3083
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol. 762, Issue 1; ISSN 2041-8205
Publisher:
Institute of Physics (IOP)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (20)

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  • Abraham, J.; Abreu, P.; Aglietta, M.
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journal January 2010
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Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
astrophysics
astroparticle physics
cosmic rays