Cosmic Rays Variability In The Mid And High Latitudes During Solar Quiet Days

ABSTRACT

We have studied the variability of Cosmic rays flux during solar quiet days at mid and high

latitudes. By using the five (5) quietest days for each month, the monthly mean diurnal variation

of cosmic ray anisotropy have been derived for the period 1981-2007, which covers part of

cycles 21, 22 and 23. These quiet days are days during which the sun is relatively magnetically

quiet, leading to less anisotropic behavior in the diurnal flux of cosmic rays measured on the

earth’s surface. Four stations (Rome, Oulu, Inuvik and Thule) were used in this study to

understand the important features of the high latitude and mid-latitude diurnal wave, and how

solar and geomagnetic activity may be influencing the wave characteristics. Cosmic ray wave

characteristics were obtained by discrete Fourier transform (DFT). The mean, diurnal amplitude,

phase and dispersion for each month's diurnal wave were calculated and profiled. There was

clear indication that the terrestrial effect on the variability of the monthly mean was more

associated with geomagnetic activity rather than rigidity of the cosmic rays. Correlation of the

time series of these wave characteristics with solar and geomagnetic activity index showed better

association with solar activity.