Influence of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, solar flares, and cosmic rays on the terrestrial environment

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnon Dar
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Terrestrial Environment ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Threat To Life

Changes in the solar neighbourhood due to the motion of the sun in the Galaxy, solar evolution, and Galactic stellar evolution influence the terrestrial environment and expose life on the Earth to cosmic hazards. Such cosmic hazards include impact of near-Earth objects (NEOs), global climatic changes due to variations in solar activity and exposure of the Earth to very large fluxes of radiations and cosmic rays from Galactic supernova (SN) explosions and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Such cosmic hazards are of low probability, but their influence on the terrestrial environment and their catastrophic consequences, as evident from geological records, justify their detailed study, and the development of rational strategies, which may minimize their threat to life and to the survival of the human race on this planet. In this chapter I shall concentrate on threats to life from increased levels of radiation and cosmic ray (CR) flux that reach the atmosphere as a result of (1) changes in solar luminosity, (2) changes in the solar environment owing to the motion of the sun around the Galactic centre and in particular, owing to its passage through the spiral arms of the Galaxy, (3) the oscillatory displacement of the solar system perpendicular to the Galactic plane, (4) solar activity, (5) Galactic SN explosions, (6) GRBs, and (7) cosmic ray bursts (CRBs). The credibility of various cosmic threats will be tested by examining whether such events could have caused some of the major mass extinctions that took place on planet Earth and were documented relatively well in the geological records of the past 500 million years (Myr). A credible claim of a global threat to life from a change in global irradiation must first demonstrate that the anticipated change is larger than the periodical changes in irradiation caused by the motions of the Earth, to which terrestrial life has adjusted itself. Most of the energy of the sun is radiated in the visible range. The atmosphere is highly transparent to this visible light but is very opaque to almost all other bands of the electromagnetic spectrum except radio waves, whose production by the sun is rather small.

scholarly journals Cosmic-ray propagation around the Sun: investigating the influence of the solar magnetic field on the cosmic-ray Sun shadow

2020 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. A83
Author(s):  
J. Becker Tjus ◽  
P. Desiati ◽  
N. Döpper ◽  
H. Fichtner ◽  
J. Kleimann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Solar Magnetic Field ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Theoretical Understanding

The cosmic-ray Sun shadow, which is caused by high-energy charged cosmic rays being blocked and deflected by the Sun and its magnetic field, has been observed by various experiments, such as Argo-YBJ, Tibet, HAWC, and IceCube. Most notably, the shadow’s size and depth was recently shown to correlate with the 11-year solar cycle. The interpretation of such measurements, which help to bridge the gap between solar physics and high-energy particle astrophysics, requires a solid theoretical understanding of cosmic-ray propagation in the coronal magnetic field. It is the aim of this paper to establish theoretical predictions for the cosmic-ray Sun shadow in order to identify observables that can be used to study this link in more detail. To determine the cosmic-ray Sun shadow, we numerically compute trajectories of charged cosmic rays in the energy range of 5−316 TeV for five different mass numbers. We present and analyze the resulting shadow images for protons and iron, as well as for typically measured cosmic-ray compositions. We confirm the observationally established correlation between the magnitude of the shadowing effect and both the mean sunspot number and the polarity of the magnetic field during the solar cycle. We also show that during low solar activity, the Sun’s shadow behaves similarly to that of a dipole, for which we find a non-monotonous dependence on energy. In particular, the shadow can become significantly more pronounced than the geometrical disk expected for a totally unmagnetized Sun. For times of high solar activity, we instead predict the shadow to depend monotonously on energy and to be generally weaker than the geometrical shadow for all tested energies. These effects should become visible in energy-resolved measurements of the Sun shadow, and may in the future become an independent measure for the level of disorder in the solar magnetic field.

Cosmic Rays from Gamma-Ray Bursts in the Galaxy

2005 ◽  
Vol 628 (1) ◽  
pp. L21-L24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Dermer ◽  
Jeremy M. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
The Galaxy

scholarly journals A criterion to discriminate between solar and cosmic ray forcing of the terrestrial climate

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 10811-10836 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Fichtner ◽  
K. Scherer ◽  
B. Heber
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Test Particle ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Particle Simulations ◽  
Level Of Understanding

Abstract. There is increasing evidence that there exist interstellar-terrestrial relations and that the heliosphere's effectivity to serve as a protecting shield for the Earth, specifically against cosmic rays, is varying in time. Nonetheless, a debate is going on whether, amongst other drivers, the Sun or the cosmic rays are influencing the terrestrial climate, particularly on periods of hundred years and shorter. As the modelling of the transport of cosmic rays in the heliosphere has evolved from pure test particle simulations to far more consistent treatments, one can explain various correlations within the framework of physical models and one can make quantitative predictions regarding terrestrial indicators of interstellar-terrestrial relations. This level of understanding and modelling allows to identify a criterion with which one can discriminate between solar and cosmic ray forcing on a period of several decades. We define such a criterion and discuss related existing observations.

scholarly journals A UNIFIED MODEL OF HIGH-ENERGY ASTROPHYSICAL PHENOMENA

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (29) ◽  
pp. 6562-6583 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. DE RÚJULA
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Compact Object ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Unified Model ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Total Luminosity ◽  
The Galaxy

I outline a unified model of high-energy astrophysics, in which the gamma background radiation, cluster "cooling flows", gamma-ray bursts, X-ray flashes and cosmic-ray electrons and nuclei of all energies — share a common origin. The mechanism underlying these phenomena is the emission of relativistic "cannonballs" by ordinary supernovae, analogous to the observed ejection of plasmoids by quasars and microquasars. I concentrate on Cosmic Rays: the longest-lasting conundrum in astrophysics. The distribution of Cosmic Rays in the Galaxy, their total "luminosity", the broken power-law spectra with their observed slopes, the position of the knee(s) and ankle(s), and the alleged variations of composition with energy are all explained in terms of simple and "standard" physics. The model is only lacking a satisfactory theoretical understanding of the "cannon" that emits the cannonballs in catastrophic episodes of accretion onto a compact object.

scholarly journals Gamma-Ray Bursts as Multienergy Neutrino Sources

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuaki Asano ◽  
Kohta Murase
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Theoretical Prediction ◽  
Low Power ◽  
Lower Energy ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Relativistic Jet ◽  
Neutrino Background

We review theoretical models for nonelectromagnetic emission, mainly neutrinos and cosmic rays, from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). In various stages of the relativistic jet propagation, cosmic-ray ion acceleration and subsequent neutrino emission are expected. GRBs are popular candidate sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays, and their prompt phase has been most widely discussed. IceCube nondetection of PeV neutrinos coincident with GRBs has put interesting constraints on the standard theoretical prediction. The GRB-UHECR hypothesis can critically be tested by future observations. We also emphasize the importance of searches for GeV-TeV neutrinos, which are expected in the precursor/orphan or prompt phase, and lower-energy neutrinos would be more guaranteed and their detections even allow us to probe physics inside a progenitor star. Not only classical GRBs but also low-power GRBs and transrelativistic supernovae can be promising sources of TeV-PeV neutrinos, and we briefly discuss implications for the cumulative neutrino background discovered by IceCube.

scholarly journals Unusual decrease of the cosmic ray intensity in May 2019 on the background of the minima solar activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Liudmila Trefilova ◽  
Pavel G. Kobelev ◽  
Anatoly V. Belov ◽  
Eugenia A. Eroshenko ◽  
Anaid A. Melkumyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Neutron Monitors ◽  
Cosmic Ray Intensity ◽  
The Earth ◽  
24Th Cycle ◽  
Field Lines

In May 2019 there was a long and sloping decreasing of cosmic ray’s intensity (up to ~4%), which was observed on neutron monitors. Despite this was a small decreasing compared to quasi-eleven-period variation, it stands out well in 24th cycle of solar activity. According to LASCO/SOHO and STEREO-A data from spectrometer in different UHF bands and from coronograph, there was a series of CMEs which affected on modulation of cosmic rays by creating a series of Forbush decrea - sing, which didn’t restore. This series was connected to two active regions on sun and began on April 30 from “reversed halo” CME. This CME didn’t reach the earth, but led to significant additional modulation of cosmic rays, mostly on east side. Later there was a series of smaller CMEs on May 1-6, which also didn’t reach the earth, but were gradually approaching to Earth. Recent CMEs on 8-9 and 12-13 created a normal Forbush decreasing. In May 2019, cosmic rays shown again, that they can collect information about distant objects of geliosphere and transmit it to Earth. The ground-level detectors sometimes can observe an interaction of interplanetary distur- bances, which didn‘t reach the earth. East CMEs are especially effective, because they closing magnetic field lines beyond the orbit of earth and can interfere the restoring of cosmic ray’s intensity.

scholarly journals Application of the wavelet phase method of signal study to the analysis of asymmetric barycentric motions of the Sun and changes in processes occurring on the Sun, near-earth space and in the interior of the Earth

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-35
Author(s):  
Valeriy I. Alekseev
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar System ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Phase Method ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Correlation Matrices ◽  
Solar Systems ◽  
The Earth

A set of studies has been carried out, indicating that solar activity and processes associated with the activity of the Sun: changes in the main magnetic fluxes, areas of polar spots, the number of polar torches at the poles of the Sun; -index of geomagnetic activity and -index of the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic solar wind (SW), slow and high-speed flows of SW, cosmic ray intensity (CR); average annual values of the interplanetary magnetic field vector and its components; the temperature, density, and flow rate of the SW plasma, the synodic period of the revolution of the Sun as a star, and the radius of the Sun in relative units; the distance of the Earths geographic pole from the conventional international origin, the rate of change of the position of the Earths north magnetic pole, the main ionospheric parameters; the angle of the Earth's axis of rotation and volcanic eruptions; asymmetric movement of the Sun around the solar system of the solar system (in fractions of the solar radius); the distances from the solar systems CM to the Sun in km, the distances from the solar systems CM to the Earth, with high accuracy, are consistent with the movement of the Sun relative to the barycenter. The research is based on the wavelet transformation of the observations listed above variables in various time intervals with the subsequent calculation of their phase-frequency and phase-time characteristics, correlation matrices between characteristics. The studied variables are divided into groups, which include the barycentric movement of the Sun and changes in solar activity. The calculated two correlation matrices of the wavelet characteristics of the group of variables and the graphs of these characteristics in two coordinate systems reflect the consistency of changes in the group. The studies carried out indicate that the thermonuclear reaction occurring in the interior of the Sun, the external manifestation of which is solar activity, is controlled by the movements of the large planets of the Solar System relative to the Sun.

Eleven-year modulation of galactic cosmic rays in interplanetary space

1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. S879-S882 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Chaeakhchyan ◽  
T. N. Charakhchyan
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Interplanetary Space ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Magnetic Clouds ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Cosmic Ray Intensity ◽  
Stationary Level

Almost the whole increase in the cosmic-ray intensity in the stratosphere during the period of decreasing solar activity (1960–64) was composed of a number of individual events occurring at intervals of 6–12 months. This phenomenon is almost entirely due to the corresponding decrease of solar activity (according to the sunspot number).Several interesting cases were found when solar-activity decreases to a new stationary level took place rapidly (within several days). After such events the cosmic-ray intensity gradually increased to reach a stationary level over a period of about two months. The time, tst, during which the cosmic-ray intensity in interplanetary space (after the above-mentioned events on the sun) approaches a stationary value is about 40, 60, and 80 days according to observations in 1961, 1963, and 1964 respectively.Some results have been obtained on the large-scale magnetic "clouds" which modulate the galactic cosmic rays in interplanetary space: (a) The velocity of propagation of these magnetic clouds is [Formula: see text]. According to the data on u and tst the radius of the sphere around the sun, r, within which the cosmic rays are modulated depends little on solar activity and is equal to 10–15 AU. (b) The density of magnetic clouds in space is either independent of the distance to the sun or decreases less rapidly than the inverse square law suggested by conservation of clouds.[Formula: see text]

scholarly journals On particle acceleration and transport in plasmas in the Galaxy: theory and observations

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Amato ◽  
Sabrina Casanova
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Energetic Particles ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Galaxy Assembly

Accelerated particles are ubiquitous in the Cosmos and play a fundamental role in many processes governing the evolution of the Universe at all scales, from the sub-AU scale relevant for the formation and evolution of stars and planets to the Mpc scale involved in Galaxy assembly. We reveal the presence of energetic particles in many classes of astrophysical sources thanks to their production of non-thermal radiation, and we detect them directly at the Earth as cosmic rays. In the last two decades both direct and indirect observations have provided us a wealth of new, high-quality data about cosmic rays and their interactions both in sources and during propagation, in the Galaxy and in the Solar System. Some of the new data have confirmed existing theories about particle acceleration and propagation and their interplay with the environment in which they occur. Some others have brought about interesting surprises, whose interpretation is not straightforward within the standard framework and may require a change of paradigm in terms of our ideas about the origin of cosmic rays of different species or in different energy ranges. In this article, we focus on cosmic rays of galactic origin, namely with energies below a few petaelectronvolts, where a steepening is observed in the spectrum of energetic particles detected at the Earth. We review the recent observational findings and the current status of the theory about the origin and propagation of galactic cosmic rays.

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