The cosmic ray composition between 10 < sup> 14 and 10 < sup> 16 eV

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1999

Abstract

The mass composition of cosmic rays with primary energies between 1014 eV and 1016 eV has been studied using the surface and buried scintillators of the CASA-MIA air shower array. Near 1014 eV, the composition of cosmic rays is in agreement with direct measurements, roughly half light elements (protons and helium) and half heavier elements. The average mass increases with energy, becoming heavier above 1015 eV. The mass changes coincide with the spectral steepening of the energy spectrum known as the knee. There is evidence for rigidity dependence in the spectral change. A method of calculating the primary cosmic ray energy which is insensitive to the composition is employed to achieve these results. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication Title

Astroparticle Physics

Share

COinS