Nature 216, 22 - 25 (07 October 1967); doi:10.1038/216022a0

Origin of Low Energy Cosmic Rays from Outside the Solar System

G. R. BURBIDGE, W. A. FOWLER & F. HOYLE

Institute of Theoretical Astronomy, University of Cambridge

The abundances of heavy nuclei in the low energy primary cosmic ray flux can be accounted for by the co-existence of two components, one of which has undergone nuclear spallation reactions. The passage of primary cosmic rays through the ambient gas clouds thought to be associated with quasi-stellar objects is one way in which spallation on a sufficient scale may have occurred.

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