The Galactic magnetic field and propagation of ultra-high energy cosmic rays

Abstract

The puzzle of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) still remains unresolved. With the progress in preparation of next generation experiments (AUGER, EUSO, OWL) grows also the importance of directional analysis of existing and future events. The Galactic magnetic field (GMF) plays the key role in source identification even in this energy range. We first analyze current status of our experimental and theoretical knowledge about GMF and introduce complex up-to-date model of GMF. Then we present two examples of simple applications of influence of GMF on UHECR propagation. Both examples are based on Lorentz equation solution. The first one is basic directional analysis of the incident directions of UHECRs and the second one is a simulation of a change of chemical composition of CRs in the energy range 10^13 - 10^19 eV. The results of these simple analyses are surprisingly rich - e.g. the rates of particle escape from the Galaxy or the amplifications of particle flux in specific directions.