The development of the maximum phase of solar cycle 23 in the galactic cosmic ray intensity

The overall features of the solar cycle maximum phase in the galactic cosmic ray intensity near the Earth and the solar and heliospheric factors responsible for them are discussed. The development of the solar cycle in the galactic cosmic ray intensity near the Earth and in the outer heliosphere is compared, both for the absolute intensity and for that normalized allowing for the changing radial position of the spacecraft and the 22-year wave.