Irregularity in spectrum of the primary cosmic rays mass composition at an energy of ~ 10 PeV

TL;DR

This paper investigates irregularities in the primary cosmic rays' mass composition at around 10 PeV, revealing a local maximum in heavy nuclei fraction linked to specific stellar sources.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of cosmic ray composition irregularities at 10 PeV using X-ray emulsion chamber and halo methods, highlighting a correlation with certain stellar sources.

Findings

Identification of a local maximum in heavy nuclei fraction at 10 PeV

Correlation between cosmic ray composition irregularity and variable stars SR and WR

Use of minimal fluctuation characteristics of EAS trunks for analysis

Abstract

Irregularity in spectrum of the primary cosmic rays (PCR) mass composition at an energy of ~ 10 PeV is considered. To assess changes of the PCR mass composition, the X-ray emulsion chamber (XREC) method and the halo-method based on the XEC were used. The study of changes in the PCR mass composition was carried out based on the experimentally obtained characteristics of the extensive air showers (EAS) trunks, where fluctuations of these characteristics are minimal and information about the primary interaction of PCR nuclei with atmospheric atoms is maximally preserved. It is shown that at an energy of ~ 10 PeV there is a local maximum in the heavy nuclei fraction. This maximum is correlated with the PCR sources, - variable stars SR (red giants and super-giants) and WR (Wolf-Rayet).