ESTIMATING THE FLUX OF THE BRIGHTEST COSMIC-RAY SOURCE ABOVE 57 x 10{sup 18} eV

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Astrophysical Journal (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/696/1/L40; COUNTRY OF INPUT: INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)· OSTI ID:21300757

The sources of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (CRs) are not yet known. However, the discovery of anisotropic CRs above 57 x 10{sup 18} eV by the Pierre Auger Observatory suggests that a direct source detection may soon be possible. The near-future prospects for such a measurement are heavily dependent on the flux of the brightest source. In this work, we show that the flux of the brightest source above 57 x 10{sup 18} eV is expected to comprise 10% or more of the total flux if two general conditions are true. The conditions are: (1) the source objects are associated with galaxies other than the Milky Way and its closest neighbors, and (2) the CR particles are protons or heavy nuclei such as iron and the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min effect is occurring. The Pierre Auger Observatory collects approximately 23 events above 57 x 10{sup 18} eV per year. Therefore, it is plausible that, over the course of several years, tens of CRs from a single source will be detected.

• OSTI ID: 21300757
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal (Online), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal (Online) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 696; ISSN 1538-4357
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ANISOTROPY
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
HEAVY NUCLEI
IRON
MILKY WAY
PROTONS