Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays: A Galactic Origin?

TL;DR

This paper argues that ultrahigh energy cosmic rays primarily originate within our Galaxy, explaining observed anisotropy and composition through Galactic magnetic field effects and source distribution.

Contribution

It proposes a Galactic origin for all UHECRs, including the highest energies, and explains anisotropy patterns via cosmic ray drift along the Galactic current sheet.

Findings

Inward anisotropy explained by drift along the Galactic current sheet.

Cosmic ray composition and anisotropy consistent with Galactic sources.

High-latitude exit of cosmic rays from within the solar circle.

Abstract

It is suggested that essentially all of the UHECRs we detect, including those at the highest energy, originate in our Galaxy. It is shown that even if the density of sources decreases with Galactic radius, then the anisotropy and composition can be understood. Inward anisotropy, as recently reported by the Auger collaboration can be understood as drift along the current sheet of UHECRs originating outside the solar circle, as predicted in Kumar and Eichler (2014), while those originating within the solar circle exit the Galaxy at high latitudes.