On the Interpretation of the Diurnal Variation of Cosmic Rays

Abstract

The recorded data of diurnal variation of the cosmic ray intensity are analysed. By using the known deflection of the cosmic ray particles in the geomagnetic field (Brunberg and Dattner 1953) and under an assumption of an anisotropy in the primary cosmic radiation, it is shown that the momentum of the primary radiation and the direction of the anisotropy can be determined. The anisotropy is explained as an effect due to the distribution of cosmic ray particles rotating with the solar magnetic field as suggested by H. Alfvén. The diurnal variation is ascribed to the earth's rotation in the anisotropic distribution of cosmic ray particles. The theoretical amplitude of this variation is calculated.