Variation of Cosmic Ray Intensity with Angular Distance from Earth to the Current Sheet

We have studied the cosmic ray intensity variations, during different polarity states of the heliosphere, with day-to-day changes in the angular distance from the earth to the current sheet. The results show intensity maxima at heliosphere current sheet (sector crossing) and minima away from the current sheet during both the periods of positive solar magnetic polarity (A > 0) and negative magnetic polarity (A < 0). Differences in cosmic ray intensity gradient away from the current sheet, during two polarity conditions of the heliosphere (A > 0 and A < 0), have also been observed. The amplitude of variation, due to azimuthal gradients, is larger for A > 0. This result is in agreement with the 3-dimensional model calculations including large scale particle drifts in the heliosphere with a wavy current sheet. We have calculated the gradients during both the polarity states of the heliosphere by adopting a simple procedure. This quantitative estimate is expected to be of interest, in particular to those involved in 3-dimensional modeling of galactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere.