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Primary gamma raysWithin this galaxy, cosmic rays reveal their presence in interstellar space and probably in source regions by their interactions with interstellar matter which lead to gamma rays with a very characteristic energy spectrum. From the study of the intensity of the high energy gamma radiation as a function of galactic longitude, it is already clear that cosmic rays are almost certainly not uniformly distributed in the galaxy and are not concentrated in the center of the galaxy. The galactic cosmic rays appear to be tied to galactic structural features, presumably by the galactic magnetic fields which are in turn held by the matter in the arm segments and the clouds. On the extragalactic scale, it is now possible to say that cosmic rays are not universal at the density seen near the earth. The diffuse celestial gamma ray spectrum that is observed presents the interesting possibility of cosmological studies and possible evidence for a residual universal cosmic ray density, which is much lower than the present galactic cosmic ray density.
Document ID
19740011310
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Fichtel, C. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1974
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Report/Patent Number
X-662-74-57
NASA-TM-X-70612
Accession Number
74N19423
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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