The isotropic composition of cosmic ray B, C, N, and O nuclei
Abstract
High resolution measurements are presented for the elemental and isotopic composition of galactic cosmic ray B, C, N, and O nuclei with about 30-130 MeV/nucleon. The isotopes are separately resolved, and the resulting abundances are limited by statistical rather than systematic uncertainties. N is found to be significantly depleted in the cosmic ray source with respect to the solar system and local interstellar medium, and it is concluded that the N-14/O-16 limit is inconsistent with models in which a majority of cosmic rays are accelerated interstellar material.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1086/183686
- Bibcode:
- 1981ApJ...251L..27M
- Keywords:
-
- Abundance;
- Cosmic Rays;
- Galactic Radiation;
- Heavy Nuclei;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Isotopes;
- Boron;
- Carbon;
- High Resolution;
- Nitrogen;
- Nuclear Fusion;
- Oxygen;
- Solar System;
- Space Radiation