Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic objects
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2-2007
Abstract
Using data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory during the past 3.7 years, we demonstrated a correlation between the arrival directions of cosmic rays with energy above 6 × 1019 electron volts and the positions of active galactic nuclei (AGN) lying within ∼75 megaparsecs. We rejected the hypothesis of an isotropic distribution of these cosmic rays with at least a 99% confidence level from a prescribed a priori test. The correlation we observed is compatible with the hypothesis that the highest-energy particles originate from nearby extragalactic sources whose flux has not been substantially reduced by interaction with the cosmic background radiation. AGN or objects having a similar spatial distribution are possible sources.
Publication Title
Science
Recommended Citation
Abraham, J.,
Abreu, P.,
Aglietta, M.,
Aguirre, C.,
Allard, D.,
Allekotte, I.,
Allen, J.,
Allison, P.,
Alvarez, C.,
Alvarez-Muñiz, J.,
Ambrosio, M.,
Anchordoqui, L.,
Andringa, S.,
Anzalone, A.,
Aramo, C.,
Argirò, S.,
Arisaka, K.,
Armengaud, E.,
Arneodo, F.,
Arqueros, F.,
Asch, T.,
Asorey, H.,
Assis, P.,
Atulugama, B.,
Aublin, J.,
Ave, M.,
Avila, G.,
Bäcker, T.,
Badagnani, D.,
Barbosa, A.,
Barnhill, D.,
&
Barroso, S.
(2007).
Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic objects.
Science,
318(5852), 938-943.
http://doi.org/10.1126/science.1151124
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/12235