Time and other Variations in the Intensity of Cosmic Ray Neutrons

Abstract

AbstractWe have measured the barometer coefficient of cosmic ray neutron production at sea level and find the value -9,25% ± 0,20/cmHg. We have shown that there is no diurnal variation of neutron production of amplitude greater than about 0,4 %. The effects of the large solar flare of November 19 th , 1949 on cosmic ray neutrons were much greater than on ionising cosmic rays at sea level; the maximum factor of increase was more than 5 and the intensity remained measurably above normal for about 12 hours. A small increase of neutron intensity is found, statistically, to be correlated with a number of recorded radio fade-outs. It is suggested that neutron measurements are particularly suitable for studying temporal variations of cosmic rays. The latitude increase of cosmic ray neutrons between geomagnetic latitude 54,5° and 56,5° was found to be about 2%. No certain increase was found between 56,5° and 59,5°.