Charge Composition of Cosmic Rays at Energies More Than 1 TeV Based on the Results of the NUCLEON Mission

Abstract

The NUCLEON experiment is aimed to investigate the composition and energy spectra of high energy cosmic rays. Direct measurements of the energy spectra of cosmic ray protons and nuclei over the range of 1–100 TeV are very important for the solution of a general astrophysical problem of origin of cosmic rays. The satellite was launched on 26 December 2014. The measured charge composition is analyzed and compared with data obtained by other experiments at lower energies. The proton to helium ratio is close to constant over the wide magnetic rigidity area (3–100 TV). The charge composition dependence on magnetic rigidity can be explained by means of the single source model.