The nine lives of cosmic rays in galaxies
Review article, 2015

Cosmic-ray astrophysics has advanced rapidly in recent years, and its impact on other astronomical disciplines has broadened. Many new experiments measuring these particles, both directly in the atmosphere or space and indirectly via γ rays and synchrotron radiation, have widened the range and quality of the information available on their origin, propagation, and interactions. The impact of low-energy cosmic rays on interstellar chemistry is a fast-developing topic, including the propagation of these particles into the clouds in which the chemistry occurs. Cosmic rays, via their γ-ray production, also provide a powerful way to probe the gas content of the interstellar medium. Substantial advances have been made in the observations and modelling of the interplay between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium. Focusing on energies up to 1 TeV, these interrelating aspects are covered at various levels of detail, giving a guide to the state of the subject.

Dust

γ rays

Interstellar medium

Superbubbles

Interstellar chemistry

Author

I.A. Grenier

Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)

John H Black

Chalmers, Earth and Space Sciences, Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics

A.W. Strong

Max Planck Society

Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics

0066-4146 (ISSN) 1545-4282 (eISSN)

Vol. 53 1 199-246

Subject Categories

Subatomic Physics

Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Roots

Basic sciences

Infrastructure

Onsala Space Observatory

DOI

10.1146/annurev-astro-082214-122457

More information

Latest update

7/12/2021