Impact Zones for Solar Cosmic-Ray Particles

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Abstract
Orbits for cosmic-ray particles starting from the vicinity of the sun and passing through the geomagnetic dipole field were integrated by using the AVIDAC computer at the Argonne National Laboratory. The methods for integration used in Chicago and Göttingen were compared. Counting rates at the top of the atmosphere were calculated from the integrated orbits in order to make possible the analysis of cosmic-ray intensity increases during solar flares. Different source widths and declinations were assumed. The calculated counting rates are based on a flat rigidity spectrum at the source. This investigation shows that: (a) distinctive impact zones exist even for large source widths; (b) the position of these zones and the counting rates within these zones depend strongly upon the declination of the source; (c) the earth's magnetic field produces a focusing effect especially at higher latitudes.