AST-1A Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Direct Energy, University Of Manchester, Naked Eye
Document Summary
1054 ad guest-star observed by the chinese. Synchrotron radiation smaller region at higher frequency because of burn-off effect. Crab pulsar discovered in 1968; rotating neutron star with 33 msec period. Observe parts of the exploded star heated to 10s of millions k. Particles accelerated to close to speed of light at shock wave. No compact object (neutron star or black hole) at center. Cosmic rays particles with speeds very close to that of light. They are accelerated in supernova remnants and permeate the galaxy (milky way) They can be detected near earth in space experiments as well as ground based experiments for very high energy particles. They do not travel directly to earth, but along magnetic field lines. Arrays to detect cosmic ray air showers can cover miles. The most advanced array currently in operation is the auger array in argentina. Peak intensity of ionization by cosmic rays at altitude of 15-26 km.
