High frequency rays of cosmic origin II. Mountain peak and airplane observations

Abstract

The elimination in penetrating ray experiments of temperature and pressure effects is accomplished through new features in the design of Wulf electroscopes, but especially through immediate reduction in situ of all deflections to volts. Variation of penetrating radiation with altitude and with time of day. — When suitable precautions are taken for eliminating the activity of adjacent rocks, both airplane and mountain peak observations agree in showing a definite variation of the penetrating radiation with altitude alone. Within the limits of experimental error all observations are consistent in showing no dependence of the penetrating radiation upon the time of day or upon the position of heavenly bodies. Absorption coefficients of penetrating rays. — Absorption experiments made on Pikes Peak with lead sheets 4.8 cm thick furnish evidence for the existence on mountain peaks of copious new rays of local origin of no greater hardness than that of gamma rays. If these new rays are assumed to be homogeneous their absorption coefficient is about 3.1 per meter of water. These experiments, however, furnish no definite evidence for the existence of very penetrating rays of cosmic origin. Necessary characteristics of cosmic rays if they exist — Such rays cannot produce as much as 2 ions per cc per sec. at sea level if they have an absorption coefficient not less than 0.25 per meter of water. If cosmic rays exist at all they must be less intense than this, or else they must be more penetrating than anyone has as yet suggested.