On the Origin of Cosmic Radiation

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The “local” theory of the origin of Cosmic Radiation is developed. According to the theory the radiation (possibly with exception of the highest energies) is generated in interplanetary space around the sun and trapped in an interstellar magnetic field. The acceleration takes place in electromagnetic fields in the sun's environment which are produced by the solar activity and especially associated with magnetic storms. A theory of the origin of Cosmic Radiation should at the same time be a theory of the extra-terrestrial variations in the radiation. The present theory incorporates the magnetic storm variation, the diurnal variation and the long time (solar cycle) variation. The acceleration process of the theory is efficient for protons and especially for for heavy nuclei but is inefficient for electrons. This explains the absence of electrons in the primary Cosmic Radiation. The latitude “knee” is accounted for as a direct effect of the acceleration process. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1954.tb01118.x