On the characteristics of solar activity and galactic cosmic ray intensity at the solar cycle maximum and inflection points

The correlation between the characteristics (sunspot area and galactic cosmic ray intensity) at inflection points and at the solar cycle maximum is discussed. Probable characteristics in the forthcoming maximum of cycle 24 are considered.     

Ultimate ground level enhancements of solar cosmic ray intensity

Possible values of ground level enhancements (GLEs) of the intensity of solar cosmic rays (SCRs) that can be recorded by neutron monitors (NMs) are estimated in two different ways for the ultimate spectra of solar protons. The first approach uses the statistical dependence between the maximum values of the integral proton flux >100 МeV and the GLE recorded by an NM. The second is to calculate the expected effect for the ultimate spectrum at a particular NM with known couple coefficients, atmospheric depth, and the threshold of the geomagnetic cutoff. Estimates using the first method vary from 9600 to 160000% for high-latitude NMs; estimates using the second method, from 1200 to 750000%. The obtained lower limits approximately correspond to GLE values observed earlier, and the upper limits are two orders of magnitude higher. Studies of the possible impact of solar proton events with spectra close to ultimate on the Earth’s atmosphere and biosphere should be continued.     

Galactic cosmic ray intensity in the inner and outer heliosphere in the epoch of the solar cycle 24 minimum

The behavior of the observed and expected Galactic cosmic ray (GRC) intensity both near the Earth and in the outer heliosphere is considered. The hypothesis is discussed of the strong dependence of the GCR intensity in the interaction region of the solar and interstellar winds on the heliospheric magnetic field polarity in the epoch of a solar activity minimum.     

On the formation of spot and magnetic cycles in the galactic cosmic ray intensity in the minima of solar activity

The problems of the determination and separation of variations in the galactic cosmic ray intensity, caused by the spot-forming activity and polarity of high-latitude solar magnetic fields, are discussed. Based on the solution of the boundary-value problem, some features in the intensity formation at solar cycle minima are formulated.     

Global and heliolatitude indices of solar activity and cosmic ray modulation

The time variation of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) (1958–2006) is described using solar activity indices in the form Z^α, Z^α exp[?(φ/φ₀)^β], where Z and φ are one of the solar activity indices and the heliolatitude of sunspots; α, β, and φ₀ are the optimum parameters found by the least-squares method. The time variation of the GCR flux is satisfactorily described, the role of the active region heliolatitude in the index in relation to the cosmic ray modulation is revealed.     

Atmospheric effects in the intensity of cosmic ray muon bundles

We analyze experimental data on cosmic ray muon bundles collected with a DECOR coordinate detector. Substantial variations in the intensity of the events are observed during the experiment. These variations are found to be caused by changes in atmospheric conditions. This study is the first to obtain experimental estimates of the temperature and barometric coefficients for muon bundles. It is shown that the observed effect can be explained by changes in the side distribution function of EAS muons.     

Decay phase of energetic electrons and protons in solar cosmic ray events

The decay phase of solar energetic particle (proton and electron) events is considered. The propagation mechanisms for particles of different kind may differ in the same events, which should manifest itself in the pecularities of their decay phases. To compare the propagation parameters of protons and electrons, we used the data of simultaneous measurements of few-MeV proton and few-hundred-keV electron fluxes from IMP-8 CPME and SOHO COSTEP. Nearly half of clear-shaped simultaneously measured electron and proton decays have similar character (exponential or power-law), suggesting that at least in a part of events electrons can be subjected to the same propagation mechanisms as protons.     

Induction mechanism of cosmic ray production and kinks in the cosmic ray spectrum

Two kinks are observed in the energy spectrum of galactic cosmic rays. It is shown that the entire spectrum can be described, to a good approximation, by a single formula obtained on the basis of the hypothesis that the particles are produced and accelerated in plasma pinches by an induction mechanism under the assumption that three hierarchical groups of currents are present—interstellar, galactic, and metagalactic. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 4, 225–230 (25 August 1996)     

The 11-year cycle of solar activity and configurations of the planets

In this paper a parameter was used, viz., the average difference between the heliocentric longitudes (ADL) of the planets Venus, Earth, and Jupiter. For the minimum ADL (the planets are in conjunction), as well as at the minimum deviation of the planets from a line passing through them and the Sun at the location of the planets on opposite sides from the Sun, an index was composed that uniquely describes the 11-year cycle of solar activity.     

On the intensity of galactic cosmic rays in the inner heliosphere during epochs of minimum solar activity

The behavior of the intensity of cosmic rays of galactic origin in the inner heliosphere (r ?? 10 a. u.) during the minima of solar cycles 20?C24 is considered. The features of cosmic ray characteristics in the last anomalously long and deep minimum of solar cycle 24 (2007?C2010) are discussed.     

On the structure of galactic cosmic ray intensity during its long-term variations

The structure of GCR intensity and its changes during the solar magnetic cycle are analyzed by numerically solving its transport equation. We propose a research method that allows us to use the intermediate results from numerical calculations, to resolve the intensity of galactic cosmic rays into components caused by sunspot and magnetic solar cycles, and to monitor the changes in energy in different parts of the heliosphere and different phases of the cycle. A method for dividing intensity into its components associated with the main physical processes determining the modulation of galactic cosmic rays is also proposed.     

Pulsations of the geomagnetic field associated with variations in cosmic ray intensity during thunderstorms

It was discovered that strong variations in the intensity of secondary cosmic rays observed during thunderstorms and earlier interpreted as a consequence of the cyclic generation of electrons and positrons in a strong electric field are accompanied in some cases by well-pronounced pulsations of the geomagnetic field. An experiment was performed with the CARPET array for studying extensive air showers of cosmic rays. This array, located in the Baksan Valley (North Caucasus), was used as a particle detector. Magnetic measurements were made using a high-precision magnetic variation station located deep underground in a tunnel of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory at a distance of about 4 km from the CARPET array.     

Long-period variations in the characteristics of frontal zones in the north Atlantic and their relation to solar activity and cosmic ray variations

The oscillations of the temperature gradients with the periods of ～10 and ～22 years have been detected in the Arctic frontal zone near the Greenland coasts. It has been shown that geomagnetic activity and the rate of variations in the GCR flux in the 11-year solar cycle are the main factors affecting the temperature contrasts in the frontal zone. It has been noted that the detected variations in the frontal zone temperature characteristics are important for the formation of the solar activity effects on the intensity of extratropical cyclogenesis.     

The search for ultrashort bursts of cosmic ray intensity on the Andyrchi air shower array

A new data acquisition system that makes it possible to measure the count rate of each detector of the Andyrchi air shower array every millisecond is described. This new detection system allows us to search for ultrashort bursts of cosmic ray intensity when operating the array in the single-component detection mode. The method of data acquisition and analysis is discussed.     

A study of daily variation in cosmic ray intensity during high/low amplitude days

A detailed study has been conducted on the long-term changes in the diurnal, semi-diurnal and tri-diurnal anisotropies of cosmic rays in terms of the high/low amplitude anisotropic wave train events (HAE/LAE) during the period 1981–94 using the neutron monitor data from Deep River Neutron Monitoring Station. In all, 38 HAE and 28 LAE cases have been studied. An inter-comparison of the first three harmonics during these events has been made so as to understand the basic reason for the occurrence of these types of events. It has been observed that the phase of diurnal anisotropy shifts towards earlier hours for HAEs and it shifts towards earlier hour as compared to 18-h direction for LAEs. For semi-diurnal anisotropy, phase remains statistically the same for both HAE and LAE. In the case of tri-diurnal anisotropy, phase is evenly distributed for both types of events. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind plasma (SWP) parameters during these events are also investigated. It has also been observed that HAE/LAEs are weakly dependent on high-speed solar wind velocity. The two types of solar wind streams (corotating streams and flare-generated streams) produce significant deviations in cosmic ray intensity during HAE/LAE.      

Fractional models of cosmic ray acceleration in the Galaxy

Possible formulations of the problem of the acceleration of cosmic rays in the interstellar galactic medium with fractional differential equations have been considered. The applied technique has been physically justified. A Fermi result has been generalized to the case of the acceleration of particles in shock waves in the supernovae remnants fractally distributed in the Galaxy.     

Problems in the interpretation of cosmic ray nuclear interactions

Difficulties in the interpretation of high-energy nuclear interactions are discussed and explanations suggested on the basis of successive or composite nucleon-nucleus collisions, the first predominant below a few 10 ¹¹ eV,the second for higher energies. In the energy region up to about 10 ¹¹ eVsome discrepancies in the frequency of production of strange particles, the small interaction cross-section of iron etc. are explained, taking into account secondary intranuclear collisions. The tunnel model of Heitler and McCusker is replaced by assuming a cone-shaped interaction volume (funnel) even at the highest primary energies. A number of consequences concerning the energies of the primary particles, the multiplicity and asymmetry in the angular distribution of secondaries, coefficient of inelasticity etc. are discussed.

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This paper contains a condensed summary of some of the material presented in a series of lectures given by the author on the occasion of his visit to Prague in December 1957/January 1958. Its publication in this form is intended as an expression of thanks to the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences and its leading Officers, in particular Prof. V. Procházka, Prof. J. Novák, and Prof. V. Petrílka, whose kind invitation made this visit possible.     

Features of cosmic ray variation at the phase of the minimum between the 23rd and 24th solar cycles

The minimum between the 23rd and 24th cycles of solar activity was unusually deep and extended. The modulation of cosmic rays was minimal for the more than 70-year-long period of direct measurements. The data from stratospheric measurements by the Lebedev Physical Institute suggest that the flux of cosmic rays with more than 100 MeV/nucleon of energy exceeded the highest ever observed level (May 1965) by almost 12%. However, the ground-based neutron monitors sensitive to relatively high energies indicated that the flux of cosmic rays increased by less than 3%. This work compares the variations in the cosmic rays over periods of five minima of solar activity (the 20th to the 24th cycle). It is shown that in late 2008, an extra flux of particles with energies less than several GeV/nucleon was detected in the Earth’s orbit. A similar (though far smaller in scale) phenomenon was also observed in 1987 at the same orientation of the Sun’s magnetic field A < 0, but was not observed in epochs where A > 0.