Statistics of clustering of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays and the number of their sources

S L Dubovsky; P G Tinyakov; I I Tkachev

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1154

Statistics of clustering of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays and the number of their sources

Phys Rev Lett. 2000 Aug 7;85(6):1154-7. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1154.

Authors

S L Dubovsky¹, P G Tinyakov, I I Tkachev

Affiliation

¹ Institute for Nuclear Research, 60th October Anniversary prospect 7a, 117312 Moscow, Russia.

PMID: 10991500
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1154

Abstract

Observation of clustering of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECR) suggests that they are emitted by compact sources. Assuming small ( <3 degrees ) deflection of UHECR during the propagation, the statistical analysis of clustering allows an estimate of the spatial density of the sources h(*), including those not yet observed. When applied to astrophysical models involving extragalactic sources, the estimate based on 14 events with energy E>10(20) eV gives h(*) approximately 6x10(-3) Mpc(-3). With increasing statistics, this estimate may lead to exclusion of some models.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Astronomical Phenomena
Astronomy*
Cosmic Radiation*
Models, Statistical