Correlation of the highest energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic objects

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Science 318:938-943,2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1151124· OSTI ID:922304

Abraham, J; Abreu, P; Aglietta, M; Aguirre, C; Allard, D; Allekotte, I; Allen, J; Allison, P; Alvarez, C; Alvarez-Muniz, J; Ambrosio, M

Using data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory during the past 3.7 years, we demonstrate that there is a correlation between the arrival directions of cosmic rays with energy above {approx} 6 x 10{sup 19} eV and the positions of active galactic nuclei (AGN) lying within {approx} 75 Mpc. We reject the hypothesis of an isotropic distribution of these cosmic rays at over 99% confidence level from a prescribed a priori test. The correlation we observe is compatible with the hypothesis that the highest energy particles originate from nearby extragalactic sources whose flux has not been significantly reduced by interaction with the cosmic background radiation. AGN or objects having a similar spatial distribution are possible sources.

• Research Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 922304
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB-07-579-AD-CD-E-TD; arXiv eprint number arXiv:0711.2256
• Journal Information: Science 318:938-943,2007, Journal Name: Science 318:938-943,2007 Vol. 318; ISSN 0193-4511; ISSN SCEHDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
Astrophysics
BACKGROUND RADIATION
DISTRIBUTION
HYPOTHESIS
NUCLEI
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION