Cosmic rays from many sources and in many locations exhibit similar, inverse-power-law energy spectra, which suggests a common origin for most cosmic rays. Diffusive shock acceleration appears at present to be this common accelerator. Hence, anomalous cosmic rays, thought to be accelerated at the solar-wind termination shock, provide a relatively accessible laboratory for the study of the mechanism of cosmic-ray acceleration. Observations showing a transition from singly-charged anomalous cosmic-ray oxygen to multiply-charged at an energy of some 250 MeV support the picture of acceleration at the quasi-perpendicular termination shock. Such acceleration may be important in other sources, as well. The basic physics of this acceleration process is discussed in some detail.
CITATION STYLE
Jokipii, J. R. (1998). Insights into cosmic-ray acceleration from the study of anomalous cosmic rays. Space Science Reviews, 86(1–4), 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4762-0_8
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