A new universal cosmic-ray knee near the magnetic rigidity 10 TV with the NUCLEON space observatory

TL;DR

The NUCLEON space observatory data suggests a universal cosmic-ray knee at about 10 TV magnetic rigidity, observed across all nuclei groups, indicating a potential limit in cosmic ray acceleration.

Contribution

This study reports the discovery of a universal cosmic-ray knee at 10 TV, observed with two measurement methods, indicating a fundamental feature of cosmic ray spectra.

Findings

Universal knee observed in all nuclei groups

Knee detected by calorimetric and KLEM methods

Potential link to cosmic ray acceleration limits

Abstract

Data from the NUCLEON space observatory give a strong indication of the existence of a new universal cosmic ray "knee", which is observed in all groups of nuclei, including heavy nuclei, near a magnetic rigidity of about 10\,TV. Universality means the same position of the knee in the magnetic rigidity scale for all groups of nuclei. The knee is observed by both methods of measurement of particles energy implemented in the NUCLEON observatory---the calorimetric method and the kinematic method KLEM. This new cosmic ray "knee" is probably connected with the limit of acceleration of cosmic rays by some generic or nearby source of cosmic rays.