[Kunow 1984 a]

The fast individualists in the solar system:
Cosmic rays

H. Kunow and G. Wibberenz.
The fast individualists in the solar system: Cosmic rays.
DFVLR Ten Years of Helios, 124 -148. (SEE N85-27794 16-92). 1984


Contents

Solar cosmic rays were investigated onboard Helios. Phenomena related to the measurements of energetic particles are presented. The measurements of cosmic rays between Sun and Earth show the dominant influence of the Sun on the whole solar system. Long term variations of the cosmic rays are related to the sunspot cycle. At many locations in the heliosphere acceleration processes of rays are observed; solar flares are the most effective acceleration process. In the acceleration region in the solar atmosphere the plasma densities are high, the dimensions of magnetic field structures are small, and the energy involved is high. In interplanetary space, plasma densities are much smaller, magnetic field structures are very large, and the energy densities at the location of acceleration are low. Origin and propagation of cosmic rays depend on the environmental conditions, e. g., the state of the plasma, the plasma waves, and magnetic fields at the source and along the way to the observer.


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