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Latitude survey investigation of galactic cosmic ray solar modulation during 1994-2007
conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 18:23 authored by Nuntiyakul, W, Evenson, P, Ruffalo, D, Saiz, A, Bieber, JW, Clem, J, Pyle, R, Marcus DuldigMarcus Duldig, John HumbleThe Galactic cosmic ray spectrum exhibits subtle variations over the 22 yr solar magnetic cycle in addition to the more dramatic variations over the 11 yr sunspot cycle. Neutron monitors are large ground-based detectors that provide accurate measurements of variations in the cosmic ray flux at the top of the atmosphere above the detector. At any given location the magnetic field of the Earth excludes particles below a well-defined rigidity (momentum per unit charge) known as the cutoff rigidity, which can be accurately calculated using detailed models of the geomagnetic field. By carrying a neutron monitor to different locations, e.g., on a ship, the Earth itself serves as a magnet spectrometer. By repeating such latitude surveys with identical equipment a sensitive measurement of changes in the spectrum can be made. In this work, we analyze data from the 1994 through 2007 series of latitude surveys conducted by the Bartol Research Institute, the University of Tasmania, and the Australian Antarctic Division. We confirm the curious “crossover" in spectra measured near solar minima during epochs of opposite solar magnetic polarity, and show that it is related directly to a sudden change in the spectral behavior of solar modulation at the time of the polarity reversal, as revealed from contemporaneous variations in the survey data and a fixed station. We suggest that the spectral change and crossover result from the interaction of effects due to gradient/curvature drifts with a systematic change in the interplanetary diffusion coefficient caused by turbulent magnetic helicity.
History
Publication title
Proceedings of SciencePagination
1-8ISSN
1824-8039Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (S I S S A),International School of Advanced StudiesPlace of publication
ItalyEvent title
34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2015)Event Venue
The Hague, NetherlandsDate of Event (Start Date)
2015-07-30Date of Event (End Date)
2015-08-06Repository Status
- Restricted