scholarly journals Revisiting the cosmic-ray induced Venusian ionization with the Atmospheric Radiation Interaction Simulator (AtRIS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 624 ◽  
pp. A124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin Herbst ◽  
Saša Banjac ◽  
Tom A. Nordheim
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Particle ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Planetary Atmospheres ◽  
Atmospheric Radiation ◽  
Solar Particle Events ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Atmospheric Ionization ◽  
Venusian Atmosphere

Context. Cosmic ray bombardment represents a major source of ionization in planetary atmospheres. The higher the energy of the primary cosmic ray particles, the deeper they can penetrate into the atmosphere. In addition, incident high energy cosmic ray particles induce extensive secondary particle cascades (“air showers”) that can contain up to several billion secondary particles per incoming primary particle. To quantify cosmic ray-induced effects on planetary atmospheres it is therefore important to accurately model the entire secondary particle cascade. This is particularly important in thick planetary atmospheres where the secondary particle cascades can develop extensively before being absorbed by the surface. Aims. Inside the Venusian atmosphere, cosmic rays are the dominant driver for the ionization below an altitude of ~100 km. In this work we revisit the numerical modeling of the galactic and solar cosmic-ray induced atmospheric ionization for cosmic ray ions from Hydrogen (Z = 1) to Nickel (Z = 28) and investigate the influence of strong solar energetic particle events inside the Venusian atmosphere. Methods. The Atmospheric Radiation Interaction Simulator (AtRIS), a newly developed simulation code to model the interaction of the near-(exo)planet particle and radiation field with the (exo)planetary atmosphere, was used to revisit the modeling of the altitude-dependent Venusian atmospheric ionization. Thereby, spherical geometry, the newest version of Geant4 (10.5) as well as the newest Geant4-based hadronic and electromagnetic interaction models were utilized. Results. Based on our new model approach we show that previous studies may have underestimated the galactic cosmic ray-induced atmospheric ion pair production by, amongst others, underestimating the influence of galactic cosmic ray protons above 1 TeV/nuc. Furthermore, we study the influence of 71 exceptionally strong solar particle events that were measured as Ground Level Enhancements at the Earth’s surface, and show a detailed analysis of the impact of such strong events on the Venusian ionization.

scholarly journals The theory of cosmic ray scattering on pre-existing MHD modes meets data

2021 ◽  
Vol 502 (4) ◽  
pp. 5821-5838
Author(s):  
Ottavio Fornieri ◽  
Daniele Gaggero ◽  
Silvio Sergio Cerri ◽  
Pedro De La Torre Luque ◽  
Stefano Gabici
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Scattering Rate ◽  
Equilibrium Spectrum ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray ◽  
Comprehensive Study ◽  
Ray Scattering

ABSTRACT We present a comprehensive study about the phenomenological implications of the theory describing Galactic cosmic ray scattering on to magnetosonic and Alfvénic fluctuations in the GeV−PeV domain. We compute a set of diffusion coefficients from first principles, for different values of the Alfvénic Mach number and other relevant parameters associated with both the Galactic halo and the extended disc, taking into account the different damping mechanisms of turbulent fluctuations acting in these environments. We confirm that the scattering rate associated with Alfvénic turbulence is highly suppressed if the anisotropy of the cascade is taken into account. On the other hand, we highlight that magnetosonic modes play a dominant role in Galactic confinement of cosmic rays up to PeV energies. We implement the diffusion coefficients in the numerical framework of the dragon code, and simulate the equilibrium spectrum of different primary and secondary cosmic ray species. We show that, for reasonable choices of the parameters under consideration, all primary and secondary fluxes at high energy (above a rigidity of $\simeq 200 \, \mathrm{GV}$) are correctly reproduced within our framework, in both normalization and slope.

scholarly journals Cosmic ray transport and anisotropies to high energies

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Biermann ◽  
L. I. Caramete ◽  
A. Meli ◽  
B. N. Nath ◽  
E.-S. Seo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Ultra High Energy ◽  
Galactic Magnetic Field ◽  
Chemical Abundances ◽  
High Energy Cosmic Rays ◽  
High Energies ◽  
Isotropic Approximation ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray

Abstract. A model is introduced, in which the irregularity spectrum of the Galactic magnetic field beyond the dissipation length scale is first a Kolmogorov spectrum k-5/3 at small scales λ = 2 π/k with k the wave-number, then a saturation spectrum k-1, and finally a shock-dominated spectrum k-2 mostly in the halo/wind outside the Cosmic Ray disk. In an isotropic approximation such a model is consistent with the Interstellar Medium (ISM) data. With this model we discuss the Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) spectrum, as well as the extragalactic Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs), their chemical abundances and anisotropies. UHECRs may include a proton component from many radio galaxies integrated over vast distances, visible already below 3 EeV.

scholarly journals Impact of Cosmic-Ray Physics on Dark Matter Indirect Searches

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Gaggero ◽  
Mauro Valli
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Weakly Interacting Massive Particles ◽  
Beyond The Standard Model ◽  
High Energy Astrophysics ◽  
Classical Plasma ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray

The quest for the elusive dark matter (DM) that permeates the Universe (and in general the search for signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model at astronomical scales) provides a unique opportunity and a tough challenge to the high energy astrophysics community. In particular, the so-called DMindirect searches—mostly focused on a class of theoretically well-motivated DM candidates such as the weakly interacting massive particles—are affected by a complex astrophysical background of cosmic radiation. The understanding and modeling of such background require a deep comprehension of an intricate classical plasma physics problem, i.e., the interaction between high energy charged particles, accelerated in peculiar astrophysical environments, and magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the interstellar medium of our galaxy. In this review we highlight several aspects of this exciting interplay between the most recent claims of DM annihilation/decay signatures from the sky and the galactic cosmic-ray research field. Our purpose is to further stimulate the debate about viable astrophysical explanations, discussing possible directions that would help breaking degeneracy patterns in the interpretation of current data. We eventually aim to emphasize how a deep knowledge on the physics of CR transport is therefore required to tackle the DM indirect search program at present and in the forthcoming years.

High-energy galactic cosmic-ray composition measured in Gemini XI

1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. S569-S571 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. O'Dell ◽  
M. M. Shapiro ◽  
R. Silberberg ◽  
B. Stiller ◽  
C. H. Tsao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Resolution ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Heavy Nuclei ◽  
Earth’S Atmosphere ◽  
Nuclear Emulsion Detector ◽  
Earth's Atmosphere ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray

An oriented nuclear-emulsion detector capable of time resolution was exposed in Gemini Flight XI to investigate the primary cosmic-ray nuclei above the earth's atmosphere. This was the first satellite exposure of an emulsion apparatus designed to collect 103 high-quality tracks of heavy nuclei under a negligible thickness of matter (0.07 g/cm2). Time resolution was obtained by moving a lower stack, consisting of emulsions of various sensitivities, with respect to a shallower, sensitive upper stack at the rate of 25 microns/minute. It was thus possible to separate the "useful" tracks–formed during the oriented portion of the flight–from those formed at other times. Preliminary data are presented on the relative abundances of individual chemical elements in the high-energy cosmic radiation above the earth's atmosphere. These measurements are compared to published results obtained on balloon flights at similar latitudes. When sufficient data become available in a later phase of this experiment, particular attention will be directed towards the Be and B abundances, the N and F content relative to C and O, and the relative number of iron-group nuclei compared to the lighter ones.

Energy spectra of carbon and oxygen - Predictions from HELIOS E6 for Solar Orbiter HET

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Marquardt ◽  
Bernd Heber ◽  
Robert Elftmann ◽  
Robert Wimmer-Schweingruber
Keyword(s):  
Energetic Particle ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Energy Spectra ◽  
Particle Detector ◽  
Quiet Time ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray ◽  
Insight Into

<p>Anomalous cosmic rays (ACRs) are well-suited to probe the transport conditions of energetic particles in the innermost heliosphere. We revisit the HELIOS Experiment 6 (E6) data in view of the upcoming Solar Orbiter Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) suite that will perform measurements during a comparable solar minimum within the same distance.</p><p>Adapting the HELIOS energy ranges for oxygen and carbon to the ones given by the High Energy Telescope (HET) allows us to determine predictions for the upcoming measurements but also to put constraints on particle transport models that provide new insight into the boundary conditions close to the Sun.</p><p>We present here the adapted energy spectra of galactic cosmic ray (GCR) carbon and oxygen, as well as of ACR oxygen during solar quiet time periods between 1975 to 1977. Due to the higher energy threshold of HET in comparison to E6 gradients of about 20% at 15 MeV/nucleon are expected. The largest ACR gradient measured by E6 was obtained to be about 75% between 9 and 13 MeV/nucleon and 0.4 AU and 1 AU.</p>

scholarly journals Solar energetic particle interactions with the Venusian atmosphere

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 595-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Plainaki ◽  
Pavlos Paschalis ◽  
Davide Grassi ◽  
Helen Mavromichalaki ◽  
Maria Andriopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Space Weather ◽  
Solar Energetic Particle ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Field Configuration ◽  
Near Earth Space ◽  
Ion Production ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray ◽  
Venusian Atmosphere

Abstract. In the context of planetary space weather, we estimate the ion production rates in the Venusian atmosphere due to the interactions of solar energetic particles (SEPs) with gas. The assumed concept for our estimations is based on two cases of SEP events, previously observed in near-Earth space: the event in October 1989 and the event in May 2012. For both cases, we assume that the directional properties of the flux and the interplanetary magnetic field configuration would have allowed the SEPs' arrival at Venus and their penetration to the planet's atmosphere. For the event in May 2012, we consider the solar particle properties (integrated flux and rigidity spectrum) obtained by the Neutron Monitor Based Anisotropic GLE Pure Power Law (NMBANGLE PPOLA) model (Plainaki et al., 2010, 2014) applied previously for the Earth case and scaled to the distance of Venus from the Sun. For the simulation of the actual cascade in the Venusian atmosphere initiated by the incoming particle fluxes, we apply the DYASTIMA code, a Monte Carlo (MC) application based on the Geant4 software (Paschalis et al., 2014). Our predictions are afterwards compared to other estimations derived from previous studies and discussed. Finally, we discuss the differences between the nominal ionization profile due to galactic cosmic-ray–atmosphere interactions and the profile during periods of intense solar activity, and we show the importance of understanding space weather conditions on Venus in the context of future mission preparation and data interpretation.

scholarly journals The pinching method for Galactic cosmic ray positrons: Implications in the light of precision measurements

2017 ◽  
Vol 605 ◽  
pp. A17 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Boudaud ◽  
E. F. Bueno ◽  
S. Caroff ◽  
Y. Genolini ◽  
V. Poulin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Secondary Component ◽  
Dark Matter Annihilation ◽  
Propagation Parameters ◽  
Positron Flux ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Ray ◽  
Best Fit

Context. Two years ago, the Ams-02 collaboration released the most precise measurement of the cosmic ray positron flux. In the conventional approach, in which positrons are considered as purely secondary particles, the theoretical predictions fall way below the data above 10 GeV. One suggested explanation for this anomaly is the annihilation of dark matter particles, the so-called weakly interactive massive particles (WIMPs), into standard model particles. Most analyses have focused on the high-energy part of the positron spectrum, where the anomaly lies, disregarding the complicated GeV low-energy region where Galactic cosmic ray transport is more difficult to model and solar modulation comes into play. Aims. Given the high quality of the latest measurements by Ams-02, it is now possible to systematically re-examine the positron anomaly over the entire energy range, this time taking into account transport processes so far neglected, such as Galactic convection or diffusive re-acceleration. These might impact somewhat on the high-energy positron flux so that a complete and systematic estimate of the secondary component must be performed and compared to the Ams-02 measurements. The flux yielded by WIMPs also needs to be re-calculated more accurately to explore how dark matter might source the positron excess. Methods. We devise a new semi-analytical method to take into account transport processes thus far neglected, but important below a few GeV. It is essentially based on the pinching of inverse Compton and synchrotron energy losses from the magnetic halo, where they take place, inside the Galactic disc. The corresponding energy loss rate is artificially enhanced by the so-called pinching factor, which needs to be calculated at each energy. We have checked that this approach reproduces the results of the Green function method at the per mille level. This new tool is fast and allows one to carry out extensive scans over the cosmic ray propagation parameters. Results. We derive the positron flux from sub-GeV to TeV energies for both gas spallation and dark matter annihilation. We carry out a scan over the cosmic ray propagation parameters, which we strongly constrain by requiring that the secondary component does not overshoot the Ams-02 measurements. We find that only models with large diffusion coefficients are selected by this test. We then add to the secondary component the positron flux yielded by dark matter annihilation. We carry out a scan over WIMP mass to fit the annihilation cross-section and branching ratios, successively exploring the cases of a typical beyond-the-standard-model WIMP and an annihilation through light mediators. In the former case, the best fit yields a p-value of 0.4% for a WIMP mass of 264 GeV, a value that does not allow to reproduce the highest energy data points. If we require the mass to be larger than 500 GeV, the best-fit χ2 per degree of freedom always exceeds a value of 3. The case of light mediators is even worse, with a best-fit χ2 per degree of freedom always larger than 15. Conclusions. We explicitly show that the cosmic ray positron flux is a powerful and independent probe of Galactic cosmic ray propagation. It should be used as a complementary observable to other tracers such as the boron-to-carbon ratio. This analysis shows also that the pure dark matter interpretation of the positron excess is strongly disfavoured. This conclusion is based solely on the positron data, and no other observation, such as the antiproton flux or the CMB anisotropies, needs to be invoked.

scholarly journals Cosmic-Ray Transport and Acceleration

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 926-936
Author(s):  
Reinhard Schlickeiser
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Diffusion Term ◽  
Solar Particle Events ◽  
High Energy Cosmic Rays ◽  
Propagation Parameters ◽  
And Diffusion

AbstractWe review the transport and acceleration of cosmic rays concentrating on the origin of galactic cosmic rays. Quasi-linear theory for the acceleration rates and propagation parameters of charged test particles combined with the plasma wave viewpoint of modeling weak cosmic electromagnetic turbulence provides a qualitatively and quantitatively correct description of key observations. Incorporating finite frequency effects, dispersion, and damping of the plasma waves are essential in overcoming classical discrepancies with observations as the Kfit - Kql discrepancy of solar particle events. We show that the diffusion-convection transport equation in its general form contains spatial convection and diffusion terms as well as momentum convection and diffusion terms. In particular, the latter momentum diffusion term plays a decisive role in the acceleration of cosmic rays at super-Alfvénic supernova shock fronts, and in the acceleration of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays by distributed acceleration in our own galaxy.Subject headings: acceleration of particles — convection — cosmic rays — diffusion — shock waves

scholarly journals Space radiation-associated lung injury in a murine model

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (5) ◽  
pp. L416-L428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melpo Christofidou-Solomidou ◽  
Ralph A. Pietrofesa ◽  
Evguenia Arguiri ◽  
Kelly S. Schweitzer ◽  
Evgeny V. Berdyshev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Injury ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Sirtuin 1 ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Solar Particle Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dose Dependent

Despite considerable progress in identifying health risks to crewmembers related to exposure to galactic/cosmic rays and solar particle events (SPE) during space travel, its long-term effects on the pulmonary system are unknown. We used a murine risk projection model to investigate the impact of exposure to space-relevant radiation (SR) on the lung. C3H mice were exposed to 137Cs gamma rays, protons (acute, low-dose exposure mimicking the 1972 SPE), 600 MeV/u 56Fe ions, or 350 MeV/u 28Si ions at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Animals were irradiated at the age of 2.5 mo and evaluated 23.5 mo postirradiation, at 26 mo of age. Compared with age-matched nonirradiated mice, SR exposures led to significant air space enlargement and dose-dependent decreased systemic oxygenation levels. These were associated with late mild lung inflammation and prominent cellular injury, with significant oxidative stress and apoptosis (caspase-3 activation) in the lung parenchyma. SR, especially high-energy 56Fe or 28Si ions markedly decreased sphingosine-1-phosphate levels and Akt- and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, depleted anti-senescence sirtuin-1 and increased biochemical markers of autophagy. Exposure to SR caused dose-dependent, pronounced late lung pathological sequelae consistent with alveolar simplification and cellular signaling of increased injury and decreased repair. The associated systemic hypoxemia suggested that this previously uncharacterized space radiation-associated lung injury was functionally significant, indicating that further studies are needed to define the risk and to develop appropriate lung-protective countermeasures for manned deep space missions.

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