Cosmic Rays and the Earth's Potential

Abstract

IN a recent communication¹ I have outlined a theory of the origin of cosmic rays in which the earth is regarded as a magnetised sphere carrying an electric charge, and the cosmic rays as charged particles which are drawn to it by electrostatic attraction. I find, employing the dynamics of relativity, and assuming that the particles possess small energies at great distances from the earth, that the theory leads to the following conclusions: if the earth, regarded as an isolated sphere, has a potential of 3 × 10¹⁰ volts, particles bearing a single atomic charge can reach it only at magnetic latitudes greater than 60°, while if its potential exceeds 1.5 × 10¹¹ volts, the earth's magnetic field does not greatly influence the geographical distribution of the intensity of the radiation. Consequently, the particles should arrive at the earth's surface each with an energy the value of which expressed in electron volts lies between these limits. A potential of 6 × 10¹⁰ volts is just sufficient to bring the particles to the magnetic equator.