Cosmic-ray intensity variations and the interplanetary magnetic field

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
It is shown that the general characteristics of the cosmic-ray intensity variations can be explained in terms of a large-scale interplanetary magnetic field of predominantly dipole character but containing small-scale irregularities which act as scattering centres. It is suggested that the cosmic-ray data can be taken as evidence for the existence of such a field. The strength of the field, which is generated by current systems in the solar corona, is dependent on the level of solar activity but must in general be in the region of 10-5 to 10-4 gauss at the earth's orbit.