Sources of Primary Cosmic Rays at an Energy of ~100 PeV

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the spectra of primary cosmic rays (PCR) over Е₀ and the spectra of variable stars over the periods is performed with for the purpose of determining the causes of irregularities in the PCR spectrum over Е₀. The dependence between periods of variable stars and the maximum energy Е₀ of PCR nuclei generated by such star types is shown. The irregularities in the PCR spectrum by Е₀ are associated with the transition of one dominant star type to another with increasing Е₀. The knee in the PCR spectrum at Е₀ = 3–5 PeV is associated with a decrease in the contribution of SRB variability stars and the further increase in the contribution of stars of Myra-type variability to the PCR flux. The bump in the PCR spectrum with a maximum at Е₀ = 80 PeV is formed by giant and supergiant stars of the Myra-type and SRC variabilities.