K. B. Fenton

Gaussian analysis of two hemisphere observations of galactic cosmic ray sidereal anisotropies

We have analyzed the yearly averaged sidereal daily variations in the count rates of 46 underground muon telescopes by fitting Gaussian functions to the data. These functions represent the loss cone and tail-in anisotropies of the sidereal anisotropies model proposed by Nagashima et al. [l995a, b]. The underground muon telescopes cover the median rigidity range 143–1400 GV and the viewing latitude range 73°N–76°S. From the Gaussian amplitudes and positions we have confirmed that the tail-in anisotropy is more prominent in the southern hemisphere with its reference axis located at declination (δ) ∼14°S and right ascension (α) ∼4.7 sidereal hours. The tail-in anisotropy is asymmetric about its reference axis, and the observed time of maximum intensity depends on the viewing latitude of the underground muon telescopes. We also find that the declination of the reference axis may be related to the rigidity of the cosmic rays. We show that the loss cone anisotropy is symmetric and has a reference axis located on the celestial equator (δ ∼ 0°) and α ∼ 13 sidereal hours. We have used the parameters of the Gaussian fits to devise an empirical model of the sidereal anisotropies. The model implies that the above characteristics of the anisotropies can explain the observed north-south asymmetry in the amplitude of the sidereal diurnal variation. Furthermore, we find that the anisotropies should cause the phase of the sidereal semidiurnal variation of cosmic rays to be observed at later times from the northern hemisphere compared to observations from the southern hemisphere. We present these results and discuss them in relation to current models of the heliosphere.

Preliminary analysis of two‐hemisphere observations of sidereal anisotropies of galactic cosmic rays

By using the two-hemisphere network of underground muon telescopes we have examined the average sidereal daily variations in the count rates recorded by 48-component muon telescopes. The telescopes respond to primary cosmic rays with rigidities between ∼140 and 1700 GV and view almost the entire celestial sphere. We have modeled the data by using Gaussian functions, and we have related the Gaussian parameters to the recent tail-in and loss cone anisotropy model proposed by Nagashima et al. [1995a, b] to explain the sidereal daily variations. We have used the model parameters to derive the rigidity and latitude spectra of the galactic anisotropies and find them to be qualitatively in agreement with Nagashima et al.s predictions. The results indicate, however, that the tail-in anisotropy is asymmetric about its reference axis, whereas the loss cone anisotropy is more symmetric. We show that these characteristics of the galactic anisotropies may explain the north–south asymmetry observed in the amplitude of the sidereal diurnal variation derived from Fourier analysis techniques.

Possible observation of 100 TeV gamma rays from the active galaxy Centaurus a

Abstract We have searched for evidence of ultra-high energy gamma rays from the active galaxy Centaurus A in the data set of the JANZOS experiment during the period 13 October 1987 to 18 January 1992. No significant DC excess was found from this source. Excess events were found, however, in the period 14 April – 3 June 1990. The duration of the excess, 48 days, and equivalent luminosity, ~ 10 43 erg s −1 , are both similar to those measured previously for X-ray outbursts of Centaurus A. Furthermore, the events appear to exhibit the expected absorption feature at 200 TeV due to interactions with the 2.7 K background radiation, but the chance probability for the excess is at the 2% level. The equivalent time averaged flux during this period was (5.5 ± 1.5) × 10 −12 photons cm −2 s −1 at energies ≥ 110 TeV, about 20 times as large as the upper lim of steady emission, assuming a differential spectral index of −2.0. Further observations are required to confirm the result

Upper limits on TeV gamma-ray emission from centaurus A, vela X-1, centaurus X-3, and circinus X-1

The active galaxy Centaurus A and the X-ray binary systems Vela X-1, Centaurus X-3, and Circinus X-1 were monitored for VHE gamma-ray emission above 1 TeV with the JANZOS Cerenkov facility during 1988 and 1989. No evidence was found for persistent or episodic emission from any of these objects. Subsequent upper limits on the integral fluxes of 2.2×10 −11 , 2.8×10 −11 , 4.0×10 −11 ,and 4.2×10 −11 cm −1 s −1 , respectively, were obtained for these objects. These limits are consistent with results of observations made by other groups

Balloon altitude studies of southern hemisphere hard X-ray sources by the Imperial College-University of Tasmania-INPE collaboration

Abstract Hard X-ray balloon altitude measurements with a 1600 cm 2 phoswich array are described. Data from observations on Sco X-1, GX1+4, GX5−1, Nova Oph. 1977, SMC X-1, SS433, IC 4329A and MR 2251-178 are presented. The role of Comptonisation in X-ray production for Sco X-1 and GX1+4 is discussed.

Enhanced sidereal diurnal variation of galactic cosmic rays observed by the two-hemisphere network of surface level muon telescopes

Significant enhancements of the cosmic ray sidereal diurnal variation were observed during the period 1992–1995 by the two-hemisphere network of surface-level multidirectional muon telescopes at Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) and Nagoya (Aichi, Japan). The telescopes cover the primary cosmic ray rigidity range of 50–120 GV. Since the enhancement is less prominent in the higher rigidity range (150–550 GV) covered by the shallow underground observations at Misato and Sakashita, it is concluded that the enhancement was caused by significant solar modulation in the lower energy region. Observed sidereal diurnal variations, corrected for spurious variations by a procedure proposed by Nagashima, give a space harmonic vector with amplitude of 0.104 ± 0.008% at 60 GV and maximum at 6.9 ± 0.3 hour local sidereal time. The time of maximum is consistent with northward streaming of cosmic rays perpendicular to the ecliptic plane. Such a north–south anisotropy is expected from cross-field ξNS = − λ⊥ Gθ diffusion if both the cross-field mean-free-path λ⊥ and the southward directed unidirectional latitudinal density gradient Gθ have large enough magnitudes. It is shown that the sector-dependent solar diurnal variations are also enhanced in the period, consistent with Gθ being directed south of the ecliptic plane. Magnitudes of Gθ and λ⊥ derived from the observations are discussed.

Survey of ultra-high-energy gamma-ray emission in the Magellanic Clouds

Various objects in the Magellanic Clouds were monitored for ultra-high-energy (UHE) gamma-ray emission during 1988 and 1990 using Cerenkov technique at large zenith angles with the JANZOS facility. During 1990 the equipment was modified to allow a sky coverage of 7°×23° at large zenith angles. This enabled most of the extent of the Large Magellanic Cloud to be surveyed at ultra-high energies. An examination of the data base yielded no clear evidence for persistent UHE emission from SN 1987A and selected X-ray pulsars in the Magellanic Clouds

Solar semidiurnal anisotropy of galactic cosmic ray intensity observed by the two‐hemisphere network of surface‐level muon telescopes

Observations made by the two-hemisphere network of surface-level, multidirectional muon telescopes at Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) and Nagoya (Aichi, Japan) are used to examine the origin of the solar semidiurnal variation in cosmic ray intensity. The network allows us to precisely determine the asymmetry of the variation across both hemispheres. It is shown that the variation is consistent with the north–south (NS) symmetric distribution of cosmic ray intensity in space. The phase of the space harmonic vector responsible for the variation is consistent with both the second-order anisotropy expected from a bidirectional latitudinal density gradient (type I) and also one arising from pitch angle scattering (type II). The network also observed a purely NS antisymmetric, antisidereal diurnal variation with the maximum phases differing by 12 hours between the two hemispheres. This is consistent with an antisidereal diurnal variation arising from annual modulation of the solar diurnal variation produced by a second-order anisotropy. The phase of the space harmonic vector responsible for the antisidereal diurnal variation is consistent with the phases predicted from both type I and type II anisotropies. It is shown, however, that the ratio of the amplitude of the space harmonic vector of the antisidereal diurnal variation to that of the solar semidiurnal variations is consistent with the type II anisotropy but not with the type I anisotropy. This result implies that the solar semidiurnal variation and the antisidereal diurnal variation observed during the period 1992–1995 mainly arise from the type II anisotropy and cannot be explained solely as arising from the type I anisotropy.

Solar Flare Increase of Cosmic Ray Intensity on November 22, 1977

Solar flares for which protons of relativistic energies reach Earth are rare events compared with the number in which non-relativistic protons are produced. For instance, Shea and Smart (1978) have listed 139 proton events for the interval 1955-69 of which 17 were GLE’s (i.e. “ground level events” detected by the world network of cosmic ray neutron monitors). We have tentatively identified a further 11 GLE’s in the interval 1970-1977, of which 3 were in 1977 in the sunspot cycle which commenced about mid-1976 (cycle 21). Thus the average rate over the past two solar cycles has been a little over one per year.

Sidereal daily variation of galactic cosmic rays

Abstract We have analyzed the yearly averaged sidereal daily variations in the count rates of 44 underground muon telescopes by fitting Gaussian functions to the data. These functions represent the Loss-cone (LC) and Tail-in (TI) anisotropies proposed by Nagashima et al. . The telescopes cover the median rigidity range 143GV–1400GV and the viewing latitude range 73°N–76°S. We find that the TI anisotropy has its reference axis located at declination ( δ ) ≈ 14°S and right ascension ( α ) ≈ 4.7 sidereal hours. We show that the TI anisotropy is asymmetric about the reference axis and its observed α depends on the viewing latitude of the telescopes. We also show that the LC anisotropy is symmetric and has a referenceaxis located at the celestial equator and α ≈ 13 sidereal hours. From the parameters of the Gaussian fits we devise an empirical model of the sidereal anisotropies which implies that the above characteristics of the anisotropies can explain the north-south asymmetry in the amplitude of the sidereal diurnal variation. Furthermore, we find that the phase of the sidereal semi-diurnal variation of cosmic rays should be recorded at later times when measured from the northern hemisphere compared to observations made from the southern hemisphere.