Recent nucleon intensity data obtained from high counting rate recorders at Ottawa and Hobart, and subsidiary stations, have been examined for evidence for the superposition of transient decreases. It is concluded that, with the statistical accuracy now available due to the high counting rates, it is possible to distinguish two types of transient decreases in the observed variations, superimposed upon the slower 11-year intensity changes. One of these is an almost symmetrical event lasting up to 2 weeks and exhibiting a recurrence tendency of about 27 days, while the other is the more abrupt Forbush decrease which recovers over a period of several days. The evidence indicates that the intensity-controlling mechanism responsible for these short-term transient changes is able to influence the cosmic ray flux at the earth independently of other events that may be in progress at the time. There is also evidence that the physical process controlling the Forbush type of decrease operates over a volume large compared with the earth because the intensity changes at places as far apart as Ottawa, Canada, and Hobart, Tasmania, show changes that are the same within the accuracy of the measurements.
Coronal Mass Ejections and Disturbances in Solar Wind Plasma Parameters in Relation With Short Term Asymmetric Cosmic Ray Intensity Decreases
