The role of corotating interaction regions in cosmic‐ray modulation

J. Kóta, J. R. Jokipii

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present the first global simulations of the modulation of galactic cosmic rays by a three‐dimensional solar wind with corotating interaction regions. The cosmic‐ray transport equation is solved in a computed wind and magnetic‐field model. The results show both the previously‐neglected small‐scale response to CIR's and global, drift‐dominated, effects which are similar to previous models. Our model predicts a correlation between the local magnetic field and the rate of decrease of the cosmic‐ray intensity which is similar to that observed. This is found to be due to inhibited diffusion. We suggest that such small‐scale variations are local and that they do not change significantly the global cosmic‐ray structure except, perhaps, near sunspot maximum.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1797-1800
Number of pages4
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume18
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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