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Particle acceleration by astrophysical shocks
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1978
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Shocks from supernova explosions and extragalactic radio sources in the interstellar medium can accelerate galactic cosmic rays and relativistic electrons, respectively. The authors propose a new mechanism to produce a power‑law distribution of cosmic rays with the observed spectral slope. High‑energy particles near a shock are scattered by Alfvén waves in the converging flow, yielding a first‑order acceleration process where escape and acceleration times are naturally comparable. Published in The Astrophysical Journal (April 1978, DOI 10.1086/182658).
view Abstract Citations (1682) References (25) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Particle acceleration by astrophysical shocks. Blandford, R. D. ; Ostriker, J. P. Abstract A new mechanism is proposed for acceleration of a power-law distribution of cosmic rays with approximately the observed slope. High-energy particles in the vicinity of a shock are scattered by Alfven waves carried by the converging fluid flow leading to a first-order acceleration process in which the escape time is automatically comparable to the acceleration time. Shocks from supernova explosions propagating through the interstellar medium can account for the acceleration of galactic cosmic rays. Similar processes occurring in extragalactic radio sources can lead to efficient in situ acceleration of relativistic electrons. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: April 1978 DOI: 10.1086/182658 Bibcode: 1978ApJ...221L..29B Keywords: Cosmic Rays; Particle Acceleration; Relativistic Particles; Shock Waves; Extragalactic Radio Sources; Interstellar Matter; Magnetohydrodynamic Waves; Supernova Remnants; Space Radiation; Cosmic Rays:Acceleration; Cosmic Rays:Shock Waves full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (2)