Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from supernova explosions of massive stars

Details Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from supernova explosions of massive stars Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from supernova explosions of massive stars

2009-03-24

arxiv.org/abs/0903.4048v2

Phys.Rev.Lett.103:061101,2009

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

accepted for publication in PRL 4 pages, 1 figure

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.061101

We attribute the recently discovered cosmic ray electron and cosmic ray positron excess components and their cutoffs to the acceleration in the supernova shock in the polar cap of exploding Wolf Rayet and Red Super Giant stars. Considering a spherical surface at some radius around such a star, the magnetic field is radial in the polar cap as opposed to most of 4 pi (the full solid angle), where the magnetic field is nearly tangential. This difference yields a flatter spectrum, and also an enhanced positron injection for the cosmic rays accelerated in the polar cap. This reasoning naturally explains the observations. Precise spectral measurements will be the test, as this predicts a simple E^-2 spectrum for the new components in the source, steepened to E^-3 in observations with an E^-4 cutoff.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from supernova explosions of massive stars does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from supernova explosions of massive stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cosmic ray electrons and positrons from supernova explosions of massive stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-347658