51. Composition and energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei above 500 GeV/nucleon from the JACEE emulsion chambers
- Author
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Burnett, T. H, Dake, S, Derrickson, J. H, Fountain, W. F, Fuki, M, Gregory, J. C, Hayashi, T, Holynski, R, Iwai, J, and Jones, W. V
- Subjects
Space Radiation - Abstract
The composition and energy spectra of charge groups (C - 0), (Ne - S), and (Z approximately 17) above 500 GeV/nucleon from the experiments of JACEE series balloonborne emulsion chambers are reported. Studies of cosmic ray elemental composition at higher energies provide information on propagation through interstellar space, acceleration mechanisms, and their sources. One of the present interests is the elemental composition at energies above 100 GeV/nucleon. Statistically sufficient data in this energy region can be decisive in judgment of propagation models from the ratios of SECONDARY/PRIMARY and source spectra (acceleration mechanism), as well as speculative contributions of different sources from the ratios of PRIMARY/PRIMARY. At much higher energies, i.e., around 10 to the 15th power eV, data from direct observation will give hints on the knee problem, as to whether they favor an escape effect possibly governed by magnetic rigidity above 10 to the 16th power eV.
- Published
- 1985