Supernova and Cosmic Rays

Abstract

The Supernova (SN) is one of the most important and most complex phenomena in astrophysics. Detailed observations of SN require advanced techniques of astronomy and high energy astrophysics, but the theoretical explanation of SN involves virtually every branch of physics. Supernovae, however, offer more than a challenging physics problem because SN are involved in the origin of most of the heavy elements, are the birthplaces of neutron stars, pulsars and probably black holes, control the structure of the interstellar medium, may be responsible for the birth of new stars (and possibly our own solar system), and, of greatest concern in this paper, are involved either directly or indirectly in the origin of the galactic cosmic rays.