Possible links between supersonic stellar winds and the origin of cosmic rays
Abstract
Recent advances related to gamma-ray astronomy and shock acceleration mechanisms have provided information concerning the origin of cosmic rays (CR). The CR are fast or relativistic protons and electrons (and nuclei), detected on the top of the terrestrial atmosphere. Gamma rays are high-energy photons which were successfully observed mainly by the American SAS-2 (30-200 MeV) and European COS-B (70 MeV-5 GeV) satellites. Galactic gamma-ray sources are examined. On a large scale, the diffuse gamma-ray emission is shown to be strongly correlated with galactic arms. On a smaller scale, 25 sources are now known. Questions regarding the proton acceleration by shocks are investigated, taking into account energetics, acceleration efficiency, and OB associations. A possible consequence of CR acceleration by stellar wind shocks is also considered.
- Publication:
-
IAU Colloq. 59: Effects of Mass Loss on Stellar Evolution
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1007/978-94-009-8500-1_24
- Bibcode:
- 1981ASSL...89..155M
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmic Rays;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Radiation Sources;
- Stellar Winds;
- Galactic Radiation;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Protons;
- Shock Wave Propagation;
- Supersonic Flow;
- Astrophysics