Related papers: Large-Angular-Scale Clustering as a Clue to the So…
Several phenomena in high energy astrophysics have been recently related to clusters of galaxies and to cosmic ray interactions occurring inside these structures. In many of these phenomena the observable effects depend on the energy…
Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) can be a signal from very early (post-inflationary) Universe. At this cosmological epoch Topological Defects (TD) and long-lived suprheavy (SH) particles are expected to be naturally and effectively…
The current status of origin of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) is reviewed, with emphasis given to elementary particle solutions to UHECR problem, namely to Topological Defects and Super-Heavy Dark Matter (SHDM) particles. The relic…
We discuss ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic rays (CR) from minor sources and their possible contribution to the extragalactic diffuse gamma-ray emission. As an illustration of minor sources we consider possible specific type of active…
The mass of a cluster of galaxies can be estimated from its lens magnification, which can be determined from the variation in number counts of background galaxies. In order to derive the mass one needs to make assumptions for the lens…
Substantial amount of information both on the source and on characteristics of intercepting magnetic fields is encoded in the distribution in arrival times, directions, and energies of charged ultra-high energy cosmic rays from discrete…
We interpret the correlation between local star-forming galaxy positions and ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) directions, recently detected by the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO), in terms of physical parameters: the local density of…
A general view is presented on the problem of propagation of ultra high-energy cosmic rays through the intergalactic and galactic magnetic fields. Especial emphasis is given to the possibility of correlating the present events with…
The apparent lack of suitable astrophysical sources for cosmic rays with E > 10^{19.7} eV (UHECRs) is the "GZK Paradox". We argue that whatever mechanism produces them must also account for events down to ~10^{18.7} eV, including their…
One of the models recently proposed to explain the origin of the ultra high energy cosmic rays assumes that these particles may be accelerated by the electromotive force around presently inactive quasar remnants. We study predictions for…
The origin of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) is a half-century old enigma (Linsley 1963). The mystery has been deepened by an intriguing coincidence: over ten orders of magnitude in energy, the energy generation rates of UHECRs, PeV…
A brief overview of the properties of massive star clusters in early-type galaxies is given. All ellipticals (with only one known exception) host massive star clusters in the form of globular clusters, suggesting that their formation is…
The conjecture that ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are actually strangelets is discussed. Besides the reason that strangelets can do as cosmic rays beyond the GZK-cutoff, another argument to support the conjecture is addressed in…
The origin of cosmic rays is one of the major unresolved questions in astrophysics. In particular, the highest energy cosmic rays observed possess macroscopic energies and their origin is likely associated with the most energetic processes…
Auger data show evidence for a correlation between ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and nearby starburst galaxies. This intriguing correlation is consistent with data collected by the Telescope Array, which have revealed a much more…
Their ubiquity and extreme densities make star clusters probes of prime importance of galaxy evolution. Old globular clusters keep imprints of the physical conditions of their assembly in the early Universe, and younger stellar objects,…
We investigate the implications of the current data regarding large scale anisotropies, and examine to what extent they can be used to constrain the origin of UHECRs and the astrophysical parameters of the source scenarios. We discuss the…
The clustering properties of the highest energy cosmic rays and their correlations with candidate sources are re-examined using the most recently available AGASA data and a rigorous correlation analysis. The statistical methodology…
Since astrophysical neutrinos are produced in the interactions of cosmic rays, identifying the origin of cosmic rays using directional correlations with neutrinos is one of the most interesting possibilities of the field. For that purpose,…
Ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are expected to be accelerated in astrophysical sources and to travel through extragalactic space before hitting the Earth atmosphere. They interact both with the environment in the source and with the…