Cosmic Ray Physics: An Introduction to The Cosmic Laboratory

Description

This book introduces you to the physics of cosmic rays, charged particles which reach us from known – and maybe unknown – sources in the cosmos. Starting from a brief history of this fascinating field, it reviews what we know about the creation of elements in the Big Bang and inside stars. It explains cosmic accelerators reaching fabulous energies. It follows the life cycle of cosmic rays all the way from their sources to detection near, on or below Earth. The central three chapters cover what we know about them at the level of the solar system, the Milky Way and the Universe at large. Up-to-date experimental results are presented in detail, showing how they are obtained and interpreted. The book provides an accessible overview of this lively and diversified research field. It will be of interest to undergraduate physics students beginning their studies on astronomy, cosmology, and particle physics. It is also accessible to the general public by concentrating mathematical and technical detail into Focus Boxes. Key features Complete introductory overview of cosmic ray physics Covers the origins, acceleration, transport mechanisms and detection of these particles Mathematical and technical detail is kept separate from the main text Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Authors Chapter 1: Cosmic Rays and Us 1.1. Distance, time and energy Chapter 2: A Brief History 2.1. Air electricity 2.2. Early pioneers 2.3. Up and away 2.4. Images of cosmic rays 2.5. Extensive air showers 2.6. The Cosmic Laboratory Chapter 3: Gross Features 3.1. Observables and techniques 3.2. Particle spectra and composition Chapter 4: Particle Production 4.1. Big Bang nucleosynthesis 4.2. Up to iron 4.3. Beyond iron 4.4. Dark Matter 4.5. Astrophysical antimatter 4.5.1. Secondary positrons 4.5.2. Pulsar positrons 4.5.3. Secondary antiprotons Chapter 5: Cosmic Accelerators 5.1. Fermi acceleration 5.2. Supernovae 5.3. Winds 5.4. Jets Chapter 6: Particle Transport 6.1. Galactic properties 6.2. Diffusion 6.3. Interactions Chapter 7: Pointing Messengers 7.1. Photons 7.2. Neutrinos Chapter 8: In the Heliosphere 8.1. The Sun 8.2. Sunspots and solar cycles 8.3. The solar wind and the Sun's magnetic field 8.4. Heliospheric Magnetic Field Structure 8.5. Global Heliosphere Structure 8.6. Solar Modulation 8.7. Transient Phenomena in the Solar Wind 8.7.1. Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections 8.7.2. Corotating interaction regions 8.7.3. Forbush Decreases 8.8. Solar flares and solar energetic particles 8.9. The Earth's Magnetosphere 8.9.1. Radiation Belts 8.9.2. Magnetospheric Current Systems 8.10. Space Weather Physics 8.10.1. Magnetic Storms and Substorms Chapter 9: In the Milky Way 9.1. Models confronting observations 9.2. Space detectors 9.3. Cosmic nuclei 9.3.1. Protons and helium 9.3.2. Light nuclei 9.3.3. Heavy nuclei 9.3.4. Isotopes 9.4. Nuclear antimatter 9.5. Strangelets 9.6. Electrons and positrons Chapter 10: In the Cosmos 10.1. Extensive air showers 10.2. Air shower observatories 10.3. Knees 10.4. Ankle 10.5. Anisotropies 10.6. Extragalactic sources Chapter 11: The Next Revolution 11.1. Direct detection 11.2. Ultra-high energies 11.3. Multiple messengers Bibliography Index