Studies of the Cosmic Ray Latitude Effects

Author: Roesch, William Carl

Year: 1949

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Neher, Henry Victor

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics; Mathematics

DOI: 10.7907/01CJ-8633

Abstract

A cosmic ray experiment in a B-29 airplane conducted through a wide range of latitudes at high altitudes is described. The chief experimental result is that the various cosmic ray components behave in quite similar fashion and hence are probably produced by the same primaries in a type of interaction roughly independent of energy of the primary.

A discussion is given of cosmic ray fluctuations. An unsuccessful attempt to correlate fluctuations at high altitude and at sea level is described. A study of electroscope data taken over a period of years shows a hitherto unsuspected regularity in the nature of the fluctuations. Attempts to explain this type of fluctuation are given but the conclusions are uncertain. Allowing properly for fluctuations, the electroscope and counter data give no evidence for a heliomagnetic cut-off south of 60° geomagnetic latitude.

he curves of minimum momentum for primary particles are corrected for use in the range of the airplane and electroscope experiments. The airplane experiment is consistent with these theoretical curves except south of 20° geomagnetic latitude. Analysis of the airplane experiments shows that there can be almost no negative particles in the primary radiation. The effect of fluctuations and other effects on the determination of the primary momentum distribution is considered and a new distribution curve drawn. The relation of the reading of a Geiger counter telescope to the primary flux is studied and the "multiplicity" function evaluated.

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