New estimation of the spectral index of high-energy cosmic rays as determined by the compton-getting anisotropy


Abstract:

The amplitude of the Compton-Getting (CG) anisotropy contains the power-law index of the cosmic-ray energy spectrum. Based on this relation and using the Tibet air shower array data, we measure the cosmic-ray spectral index to be -3.03 ± 0.55stat± <0.62syst between 6 and 40 TeV, consistent with -2.7 from direct energy spectrum measurements. Potentially, this CG anisotropy analysis can be utilized to confirm the astrophysical origin of the "knee" against models for nonstandard hadronic interactions in the atmosphere. © 2008. The American Astronomi cal Society, All rights reserved.

Año de publicación:

2008

Keywords:

  • solar system: general
  • cosmic rays

Fuente:

scopusscopus