Muon density measurements with the KASCADE central detector

Frequency distributions of local muon densities in high-energy extensive air showers (EAS) are presented as signature of the primary cosmic ray energy spectrum in the knee region. Together with the gross shower variables like shower core position, angle of incidence, and the shower sizes, the KASCADE experiment is able to measure local muon densities for two different muon energy thresholds. The spectra have been reconstructed for various core distances, as well as for particular subsamples, classified on the basis of the shower size ratio N_μ/N_e. The measured density spectra of the total sample exhibit clear kinks reflecting the knee of the primary energy spectrum. While relatively sharp changes of the slopes are observed in the spectrum of EAS with small values of the shower size ratio, no such feature is detected at EAS of large N_μ/N_e ratio in the energy range of 1–10 PeV. Comparing the spectra for various thresholds and core distances with detailed Monte Carlo simulations the validity of EAS simulations is discussed.     

宇宙磁场中的中微子

本文讨论了有质量的Dirac粒子在宇宙磁场中的演化。宇宙磁场使空间度规出现各向异性。通过求解Dirac方程,得到了中微子在宇宙磁场中的表观磁矩。     

The pillars of cosmology: a short history and assessment

Is the big bang model of the universe ascendant and unshakable, or declining and outdated? This paper cursorily explores the state of cosmology today.     

Steady-state drift-dominated modulation models for galactic cosmic rays

A number of steady-state drift-dominated modulation models has been developed by the Potchefstroom modulation group. In this review a selection of these models is discussed and briefly compared. A short overview of the relevant drift theory incorporated into the models is also given.     

On the problem of big bang nucleosynthesis

Supporters of the standard Big Bang theory point to the abundances of light elements, predicted by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) as one of the main observational supports of the theory. However, current data no longer confirm BBN. Instead, measurements of the abundances of He³, He⁴, and D clearly contradict BBN at more than a 3 level, eliminating a key support of the Big Bang.     

A GRB model satisfying stringent observational constraints

The temporal behavior of GRBs is quantified using a power spectrum analysis. The power spectrum of great variety of GRBs is well represented by the simple ^–2 behavior. We then study a cosmological GRB model in which relativistic flows interact with dense radiation fields. This mechanism in the densest stellar regions known to exist, surprisingly yields the correct temporal behavior. Other characteristics are also reproduced, including the duration bimodality and the hardness-duration distribution.     

新疆哈图金矿微球粒的发现及其地质意义

采自新疆哈图金矿区各地层单元和含矿脉体中的基岩人工重砂样品普遍含有一种“微球粒”物质。通过“微球粒”的一般特征，表面、断面结构、矿物组成和化学成分的研究，认为属消融型宇宙尘。并据此提出区内玄武质母岩浆在形成玄武岩的过程中同化、熔融了含宇宙尘的局部老地层物质；为区内金矿化提供含矿热液的花岗岩属重熔型花岗岩。     

The possible connection between ionization in the atmosphere by cosmic rays and low level clouds

Recent analysis of monthly mean cloud data from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project uncovered a strong correlation between low cloud and the cosmic ray flux for extensive regions of the Earth. Additional data have been recently released covering the period up to September 2001 with which we have made a new study of the geographical variation of the correlation between low cloud and predicted ionization level from cosmic rays at an altitude of 2 km. When analysed globally, we find that the correlations do not correspond to the latitude variation of cosmic ray flux and they are not field significant. Nonetheless they appear to be marginally field significant over broad latitude and longitude bands with a peak positive correlation at 50 degrees North and South and a tendency to negative correlation at lower latitudes. The correlation is strongest over the North and South Atlantic. Several of these features are consistent with the predictions of the electroscavenging process.We use a simple model to calculate the climatic impact should the correlation be confirmed. We show that, under the most favorable conditions, a reduction in low cloud cover since the late 19th century, combined with the direct forcing by solar irradiance can explain a significant part of the global warming over the past century, but not all. However, this computation assumes that there is no feedback or changes in cloud at other levels.     

宇宙黎明和再电离时期低频全天总功率探测实验现状

宇宙黎明和再电离时期探测是目前宇宙学最前沿科学研究方向之一.对这一时期的直接探测只能依赖于观测来自这一时期红移后的中性氢21 cm信号,其3种主要探测方式之一是21 cm信号全天总功率测量.在此回顾已有和正在计划中的探测宇宙黎明和再电离时期的低频全天总功率测量实验及其进展,包括地面射电望远镜如BIGHORNS¹、EDGES²、LACE³、LEDA⁴、MIST⁵、REACH⁶、SARAS⁷ 3、SCI-HI⁸、PRI^ZM⁹以及空间低频总功率相关实验如DARE¹⁰、DAPPER¹¹、FARSIDE¹²、鸿蒙计划.其中, EDGES实验是目前唯一声称观测到疑似宇宙黎明信号的实验,然而其实验结果与标准宇宙学模型(Λ Cold Dark Matter,ΛCDM)有不符之处.如果该探测结果被证实,那么这将是人类第1次...     

Electrostatic Potentials in Supernova Remnant Shocks

Recent advances in the understanding of the properties of supernova remnant shocks have been precipitated by theChandra and XMM X-ray Observatories, and the HESS Atmospheric Čerenkov Telescope in the TeV band. A critical problem for this field is the understanding of the relative degree of dissipative heating/energization of electrons and ions in the shock layer. This impacts the interpretation of X-ray observations, and moreover influences the efficiency of injection into the acceleration process, which in turn feeds back into the thermal shock layer energetics and dynamics. This paper outlines the first stages of our exploration of the role of charge separation potentials in non-relativistic electron-ion shocks where the inertial gyro-scales are widely disparate, using results from a Monte Carlo simulation. Charge density spatial profiles were obtained in the linear regime, sampling the inertial scales for both ions and electrons, for different magnetic field obliquities. These were readily integrated to acquire electric field profiles in the absence of self-consistent, spatial readjustments between the electrons and the ions. It was found that while diffusion plays little role in modulating the linear field structure in highly oblique and perpendicular shocks, in quasi-parallel shocks, where charge separations induced by gyrations are small, and shock-layer electric fields are predominantly generated on diffusive scales.