On the anisotropy in the arrival directions of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays

Abstract

We present results of elaborate four-dimensional simulations of the propagation of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECR), which are based on a realistic astrophysical scenario. The distribution of the arrival directions of the UHECR is found to have a pronounced dipolar anisotropy and rather weak higher-order contributions to the angular power spectrum. This finding agrees well with the recent observation of a dipolar anisotropy for UHECR with arrival energies above 8 EeV by the Pierre Auger Observatory and constitutes an important prediction for other energy ranges and higher-order angular contributions for which sufficient experimental data are not yet available. Since our astrophysical scenario enables simulations that are completely consistent with the available data, this scenario will be a very useful basis for related future studies.

6 pages, 1 figure