Heliospheric Effects on Cosmic-Ray Electrons

Abstract

Motivated by the success of current modulation models in interpreting the solar modulation of Galactic cosmic-ray nuclei, we consider several effects on cosmic-ray electrons which are new or which have not yet been fully explored. Among these are the contribution of Galactic positrons to the total electron flux, the production of secondary electrons from solar system objects, and the possibility of electrons being accelerated at the solar wind termination shock ("anomalous" cosmic-ray electrons). We find that the first of these provides a natural interpretation of the time variations of Galactic cosmic-ray electrons. Jovian electrons and thermal solar wind electrons may be accelerated to cosmic-ray energies at the termination shock. Such acceleration effects may alter the time-intensity profiles of electrons at Earth, further modifying the interpretation of the electron modulation.

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