Summary
The implications of anti-matter (consisting of positrons and antiprotons) existing on a cosmic scale are discussed. It is shown from a consideration of the kinetic and magnetic energy of the interstellar gas clouds and from the energy of cosmic radiation that the ratio of anti-matter to ordinary matter in our Galaxy cannot exceed ~ 10-7. The importance to radio astronomy of such a limit being attained is investigated. It appears that the intensities of radio emission from galactic and extra-galactic sources may be quantitatively explained on this hypothesis. The relation of these ideas to cosmology is also briefly discussed.
Riassunto
Si discutono le conseguenze dell’esistenza su scala cosmica di antimateria (sotto forma di positoni e antiprotoni). Con considerazioni sull’energia cinetica e magnetica delle nubi di gas interstellari e sulla energia della radiazione cosmica si dimostra che nella nostra Galassia il rapporto dell’antimateria alla materia ordinaria non può superare ~ 10-7. Si esamina l’importanza che per la radioastronomia presenta il raggiungimento di tale limite. Sembra che questa ipotesi possa dare quantitativamente ragione delle intensità delle emissioni radio da sorgenti galattiche ed extra-galattiche. Si discute brevemente la relazione di queste idee con la cosmologia.
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Normally at St. John’s College, Cambridge.
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Burbidge, G.E., Hoyle, F. Matter and anti-matter. Nuovo Cim 4, 558–564 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02745379
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02745379