Interaction of relativistic dust grains with the solar radiation field |
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| Authors: | B McBreen S Plunkett C J Lambert |
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| Institution: | (1) Physics Department, University College, Dublin, Ireland;(2) School of Physics and Materials, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom |
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| Abstract: | The effects of the solar radiation field on the propagation of relativistic dust grains are evaluated. It is concluded that relativistic iron grains with energies  1019 eV will melt in the solar radiation field before they reach the Earth's orbit around the Sun. However iron grains with lower energies will reach the Earth's orbit but grains travelling from the direction of the Sun will melt. This directional anisotropy or fingerprint may be used to search for relativistic dust grains in the primary cosmic rays. The fact that no significant solar system anisotropy has been detected places constraints on the hypothesis that the initiating particles of the extensive air showers are relativistic iron grains. |
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