Effect of corotating interacting regions on the propagation of relativistic cosmic rays in the heliosphere

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA06p04542· OSTI ID:6770989

Thomas, B T; Gall, R

This paper questions the validity of modulation theories that ignore the presence of large regions of enhanced magnetic field in the heliosphere. We simulate the scatter-free and diffusive motion of relativistic cosmic rays in models of the heliosphere magnetic field which include compressed field structures representing the corotating interaction regions which are believed to be present in the interplanetary medium throughout most of the solar cycle. We find that the strong field gradients associated with these regions greatly perturb the drift pattern anticipated for simple Parkerian fields, and thus the expected streaming of cosmic rays from over the poles or along the current sheet, during consecutive solar cycles, no longer holds.

• Research Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91103
• OSTI ID: 6770989
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 87:A6; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RAY PROPAGATION
ENERGY RANGE
INTERACTIONS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR SYSTEM
SOLAR WIND
SPACE