Studies of the UHECR propagation in the Galactic Magnetic Field

Abstract

We present the results of simulations of the ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) propagation in the Galactic magnetic field (GMF). Different assumptions on the large-scale GMF structure and/or primary particle lead to distinctly different deflection patterns of the highest energy cosmic rays (CR). The GMF modifies the exposure of an UHECR experiment to the extragalactic sky. We estimated these effects for the Pierre Auger experiment. Further forward-tracking studies under plausible UHECR sources scenarios will allow for direct comparison with the observed correlation between the nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the highest energy Auger events.

4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. To be published in the Proceedings of the XV International Symposium on Very High Energy Cosmic Ray Interactions (ISVHECRI 2008), Paris, France, September 1-6, 2008