CERN Colloquium

On the Origin of Cosmic Rays

by Alvaro De Rujula (CERN)

Europe/Zurich
500/1-001 - Main Auditorium (CERN)

500/1-001 - Main Auditorium

CERN

400
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Description
At the mature age of 93, the origin of Cosmic Rays is the longest-lasting conundrum in astrophysics. Hopefully, its resolution will not take that many more years. I shall discuss a 'unified model' of high energy astrophysics, in which the gamma background radiation, cluster cooling flows, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray flashes --as well as cosmic-ray electrons and nuclei of all energies-- all share a common origin. The mechanism underlying all these phenomena is the emission of 'cannonballs' by ordinary supernovae, entirely analogous to the observed relativistic ejections in quasars and microquasars. The distribution of Cosmic Rays in the Galaxy, their total 'luminosity', the broken power-law spectra of cosmic rays with their observed slopes, the position of the knee(s) and ankle, and the variations of composition with energy indicated by observations are all explained in terms of extremely simple and completely 'standard' physics. If correct, this model is only lacking a satisfactory theoretical understanding of the 'cannon' that emits the cannonballs in a catastrophic process of accretion onto a compact object.



Organiser(s): Luis Alvarez-Gaume / PH-TH Department

Note: * Tea & coffee will be served at 16.00 hrs.
Video in CDS