Abstract The insufficiencies of the metal-rich supernova model and of the Wolf-Rayet star model for explaining the isotopic anomalies in GCRS (galactic cosmic ray source) are examined. The main properties of WR stars relevant to the study of GCRS are recalled, with particular emphasis on their chemical excesses and the steep galactic gradient in their distribution. A new model is proposed. It assumes that galactic cosmic rays, which may propagate over significant galactic distances, originate from two main sources (SN and WR). The properties (e.g. chemistry and relative distribution) of these two sources are changing with galactocentric distance. The main results are: −1. In the solar neighbourhood, three particles over 100 originate from WR stars. This fraction appears to increase towards the galactic interior. −2. The bulk of galactic cosmic rays recieved at the earth is mainly a probe of material originating from a distance of 2.5 – 3.0 kpc towards the galactic interior. −3. The isotopic anomalies in GCRS result from the fact that the local galactic medium is compared to matter originating from inner galactic regions where metallicity is higher and where the relative contribution of WR stars (to GCRS and interstellar medium) is higher. The model very well accounts for the various isotopic anomalies observed.
Isotopic anomalies in cosmic rays and winds from Wolf-Rayet stars: A new model
Advances in Space Research ; 4 , 2-3 ; 55-65
1984-01-01
11 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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