Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Suprathermal grains: On intergalactic magnetic fields

  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Charged dust grains of radiia≃3×10−6∼3×10−5 cm may be driven out of the galaxy due to radiation pressure of starlight. Once clear of the main gas-dust layer, dust grains may then escape into intergalactic space. Such grains are virtually indestructible-being evaporated only during galaxy formation. The dust grains, once injected into the intergalactic medium, may acquire suprathermal energy, thus ‘suprathermal grains’ in collision with magnetized cloud by the Fermi process. In order to attain relativistic energy, suprathermal grains have to move in and out (‘scattering’) of the magnetic field of the medium. It is now well established that high energy cosmic rays are of the order 1020 eV or more. We have speculated that these high energy (>-1018 eV) cosmic ray particles are charged dust grains, of intergalactic origin. This is possible only if there exists a magnetic field in the intergalactic medium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dasgupta, A. K.: 1978, PhD Thesis, University College, Cardiff.

  • Fermi, E.: 1949,Phys. Rev. 75, 1169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle, F.: 1948,Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 108, 372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, F. D. and Woltjer, L.: 1959,Astrophys. J. 130, 3, 705.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S. A. and Pikelner, S. B.: 1970,The Interstellar Medium, Harvard University Press.

  • Mendis, D. A. and Wickramasinghe, N. C.: 1976, Preprint Series17, Cardiff.

  • Nandy, K., Morgan, D. H., and Reddish, V. C.: 1974,Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 189, 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pikelner, S. B.: 1961,Astron. Zh. 38, 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pikelner, S. B.: 1963,Astron. Zh. 40, 601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sciama, S.: 1962,Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 123, 317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suga, K., Sakuyama, H., Kawaguchi, S., and Hara, T.: 1971, EAS-16, 12 Int. of Conf. on Cosmic Rays.

  • Wickramasinghe, N. C.: 1974,Astrophys. Space Sci. 78, L25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwicky, F.: 1958,Astronomie 72, 285.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mathematics and Astronomy, University College, Cardiff, Wales

    Ajoy Kumar Dasgupta

Authors
  1. Ajoy Kumar Dasgupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dasgupta, A.K. Suprathermal grains: On intergalactic magnetic fields. Astrophys Space Sci 60, 455–464 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644345

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644345

Keywords

Search

Navigation