Abstract
The Galactic distribution of cosmic rays and magnetic fields is accurately reflected in the Galactic non-thermal radio background. But models of the radio data only provide estimates of the Galactic variation of synchrotron emissivity, the product of cosmic ray intensity and the square of the magnetic field--one cannot derive either quantity uniquely from the radio data alone. Here we show how one can circumvent this problem by using knowledge of the distribution of thermal nucleons in the Galaxy to determine the Galactic magnetic field; once this is known the radio data can be used to map the Galactic cosmic rays. We stress the intimate relation that exists between interpretations of the radio background, the γ-ray background and the distribution of thermal material in the Galaxy.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Badhwar, G. D., Daniel, R. R., and Stephens, S. A. 1977, Ap. Space Sci., 49, 133.
Blitz, L., and Shu, F. H. 1980, Ap. J., 238, 148.
Brindle, C., French, D. K., and Osborne, J. L. 1978, MNRAS, 184, 283.
Brindle, C., French, D. K., and Osborne, J. L. 1978, MNRAS, 184, 283.
French, D. K., and Osborne, J. L. 1976, MNRAS, 177, 569.
Gordon, M. A., and Burton, W. B. 1976, Ap. J., 208, 346.
Higdon, J. C. 1979, Ap. J., 232, 113.
Liszt, H. S., and Burton, W. B. 1980, Ap. J., 236, 779.
Mouschovias, T. Ch. 1974, Ph.D. Dissertation, U. Calif., Berkeley.
Mouschovias, T. Ch., Shu, F. H., and Woodward, P. 1974, Astron. Ap., 33, 73.
Pacholczyk, A. G. 1970, Radio Astrophysics (San Francisco: Freeman).
Parker, E. N. 1970, in Interstellar Gas Dynamics, ed. H. J. Habing ( Dordrecht: Reidel ), p. 168.
Paul, J., Cassé, M., and Cesarsky, C. J. 1976, Ap. J., 207, 62.
van der Kruit, P. C. 1978, in Structure and Properties of Nearby Galaxies, ed. E. M. Berkhuijsen and R. Wielebinski (Dordrecht: Reidel), p. 33.
Webster, A. S. 1975, MNRAS, 171, 243.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1983 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Brown, R.L. (1983). Cosmic Rays and Magnetic Fields in the Galaxy. In: Shuter, W.L.H. (eds) Kinematics, Dynamics and Structure of the Milky Way. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 100. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7060-1_30
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7060-1_30
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-009-7062-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-7060-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive