PERIODICAL FLUCTUATION STUDIES OF COSMIC-RAY DIURNAL VARIATIONS DURING THE QUIET-SUN PERIOD 1962–64

Abstract

Statistical studies of periodic fluctuations of the cosmic-ray diurnal variation have been performed, using neutron and meson component data obtained by the high-counting-rate cosmic-ray monitors at Deep River. The data cover an interval from May 1962 to October 1964, a period of descending solar activity ending near the solar minimum. It is shown that a 27-day recurrence tendency of the amplitude of the diurnal variation occasionally appears as well as shorter recurrent variations, ranging from one-half to one-sixth of the solar rotation period. The correlations of these fluctuations with some typical solar and terrestrial indices are examined in order to search for possible origins of the shorter recurrent variations. A possible connection with the Kp index exists.