1. A new view of UHECRs with the Pierre Auger ObservatoryDenise Boncioli, Andrej Filipčič, Jon Paul Lundquist, Shima Ujjani Shivashankara, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In its Phase I, the Pierre Auger Observatory has led to several observations, driving the field of ultra- high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) research over the last 20 years. Major achievements obtained so far include the unprecedented precise energy spectrum and its features, the observables linked to the UHECR mass composition and the distribution of arrival directions of the most energetic events. These results, together with the non-observation of high-energy neutrinos and photons, strongly disfavor the pre-Auger pure-proton paradigm.
In this talk, we will provide an overview on the main results of the Observatory, and describe possible astrophysical scenarios for their interpretation. The prospects of improving the current understanding about UHECR characteristics during the Phase II of the Observatory will be also shown.
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, Pierre Auger Observatory, UHE neutrinos, UHE photons, Auger Phase I, AugerPrime upgrade, Auger Phase II, UHECR mass composition, UHECR energy spectrum, UHECR anisotropy studies, UHECR astrophysical scenarios, UHECR data interpretation
Published in RUNG: 24.03.2025; Views: 465; Downloads: 4
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2. Astrophysical models to interpret the Pierre Auger Observatory dataJuan Manuel González, Andrej Filipčič, Jon Paul Lundquist, Shima Ujjani Shivashankara, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Pierre Auger Observatory has measured the spectrum of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays with unprecedented precision, as well as the distribution of the depths of the maximum of the shower development in the atmosphere, which provide a reliable estimator of the mass composition. The measurements above 10[sup]17.8 eV can be interpreted assuming two populations of uniformly distributed sources, one with a soft spectrum dominating the flux below few EeV, and another one with a very hard spectrum dominating above that energy. When considering the presence of intense extragalactic magnetic fields between our Galaxy and the closest sources and a high-energy population with low spatial density, a magnetic horizon appears, suppressing the cosmic ray's flux at low-energies, which could explain the very hard spectrum observed at Earth. The distribution of arrival directions, which at energies above 32 EeV shows indications of a correlation with a population of starburst galaxies or the radio galaxy Centaurus A (Cen A), are also important to constrain the sources. It is shown that adding a fractional contribution from these sources of about 20% on top of an homogeneous background leads to an improvement of the model likelihood.
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, UHECR energy spectrum, UHECR mass composition, UHECR anisotropies, UHECR propagation, UHECR data interpretation, extragalactic magnetic fields, starburst galaxies, Centaurus A, Pierre Auger Observatory
Published in RUNG: 24.03.2025; Views: 402; Downloads: 7
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3. Combined fit of spectrum and composition for FR0 radio-galaxy-emitted ultra–high energy cosmic rays with resulting secondary photons and neutrinosJon Paul Lundquist, Serguei Vorobiov, Lukas Merten, Anita Reimer, Margot Boughelilba, Paolo Da Vela, Fabrizio Tavecchio, Giacomo Bonnoli, Chiara Righi, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This study comprehensively investigates the gamma-ray dim population of Fanaroff–Riley
Type 0 (FR0) radio galaxies as potentially significant sources of ultra–high energy cosmic rays
(UHECRs, E > 10[sup]18 eV) detected on Earth. While individual FR0 luminosities are relatively
low compared to the more powerful Fanaroff–Riley Type 1 and Type 2 galaxies, FR0s are
substantially more prevalent in the local universe, outnumbering the more energetic galaxies
by a factor of ∼5 within a redshift of z ≤ 0.05. Employing CRPropa3 simulations, we estimate
the mass composition and energy spectra of UHECRs originating from FR0 galaxies for energies
above 10[sup]18.6 eV. This estimation fits data from the Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger)
using three extensive air shower models; both constant and energy-dependent observed
elemental fractions are considered. The simulation integrates an approximately isotropic
distribution of FR0 galaxies, extrapolated from observed characteristics, with UHECR
propagation in the intergalactic medium, incorporating various plausible configurations of
extragalactic magnetic fields, both random and structured. We then compare the resulting
emission spectral indices, rigidity cutoffs, and elemental fractions with recent Auger results.
In total, 25 combined energy-spectrum and mass-composition fits are considered. Beyond
the cosmic-ray fluxes emitted by FR0 galaxies, this study predicts the secondary photon and
neutrino fluxes from UHECR interactions with intergalactic cosmic photon backgrounds.
The multimessenger approach, encompassing observational data and theoretical models,
helps elucidate the contribution of low-luminosity FR0 radio galaxies to the total cosmic-ray
energy density.
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, UHECRs, UHECR energy spectrum, Pierre Auger Observatory, UHECR mass composition, UHECR sources, extragalactic magnetic fields, UHECR propagation, CRPropa tool
Published in RUNG: 06.01.2025; Views: 713; Downloads: 10
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4. Large-scale cosmic-ray anisotropies with 19 yr of data from the Pierre Auger ObservatoryA. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, Ingo Allekotte, K. Almeida Cheminant, Jon Paul Lundquist, Shima Ujjani Shivashankara, Serguei Vorobiov, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: We present results of the measurement of large-scale anisotropies in the arrival directions of
ultra–high-energy cosmic rays detected at the Pierre Auger Observatory during 19 yr of operation,
prior to AugerPrime, the upgrade of the observatory. The 3D dipole amplitude and direction are
reconstructed above 4 EeV in four energy bins. Besides the established dipolar anisotropy in right
ascension above 8 EeV, the Fourier amplitude of the 8–16 EeV energy bin is now also above the 5σ
discovery level. No time variation of the dipole moment above 8 EeV is found, setting an upper limit
to the rate of change of such variations of 0.3% per year at the 95% confidence level. Additionally,
the results for the angular power spectrum are shown, demonstrating no other statistically
significant multipoles. The results for the equatorial dipole component down to 0.03 EeV are
presented, using for the first time a data set obtained with a trigger that has been optimized for
lower energies. Finally, model predictions are discussed and compared with observations, based
on two source emission scenarios obtained in the combined fit of spectrum and composition above 0.6 EeV.
Keywords: ultra–high-energy cosmic rays, UHECRs, UHECR anisotropies, Pierre Auger Observatory, dipolar anisotropy in right ascension, Fourier amplitude analysis, angular power spectrum, equatorial dipole component, UHECR source emission scenarios
Published in RUNG: 26.11.2024; Views: 942; Downloads: 5
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5. Astrophysical interpretation of energy spectrum and mass composition of cosmic rays as measured at the Pierre Auger ObservatoryEleonora Guido, Andrej Filipčič, Jon Paul Lundquist, Shima Ujjani Shivashankara, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The combined interpretation of the spectrum and composition measurements plays a key role in the quest for the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). The Pierre Auger Observatory, thanks to its huge exposure, provides the most precise measurement of the energy spectrum of UHECRs and the most reliable information on their composition, exploiting the distributions of the depth of maximum of the showers in the atmosphere. A combined fit of a simple astrophysical model of UHECR sources to the spectrum and mass composition measurements is used to evaluate the constraining power of the data measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory on the source properties. We find that our data across
the “ankle” feature are well reproduced if two extragalactic populations of sources are considered, one emitting a very soft spectrum which dominates the region below the ankle, and the other taking over at energies above the ankle, with an intermediate mixed composition, a hard spectrum and a low rigidity cutoff. Interestingly, similar results can also be obtained if the medium-mass contribution at lower energy is provided by an additional galactic component.
Keywords: Pierre Auger Observatory, ultra-high energy cosmic rays, UHECR energy spectrum, UHECR mass composition
Published in RUNG: 24.01.2024; Views: 3254; Downloads: 19
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6. Investigation of multi-messenger properties of FR0 radio galaxy emitted ultra-high energy cosmic raysJon Paul Lundquist, Lukas Merten, Serguei Vorobiov, Margot Boughelilba, Albert Reimer, Paolo Da Vela, F. Tavecchio, G. Bonnoli, C. Righi, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Low luminosity Fanaroff-Riley type 0 (FR0) radio galaxies are amongst potential contributors to the observed flux of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). Due to FR0s’ much higher abundance in the local universe than more powerful radio galaxies (e.g., about five times more ubiquitous at redshifts z≤0.05 than FR1s), they could provide a substantial fraction of the total UHECR energy density.
In the presented work, we determine the mass composition and energy spectrum of UHECRs emitted by FR0 sources by fitting simulation results from the CRPropa3 framework to the recently published Pierre Auger Observatory data. The resulting emission spectral characteristics (spectral indices, rigidity cutoffs) and elemental group fractions are compared to the Auger results. The FR0 simulations include the approximately isotropic distribution of FR0s extrapolated from the measured FR0 galaxy properties and various extragalactic magnetic field configurations, including random and large-scale structured fields. We predict the fluxes of secondary photons and neutrinos produced during UHECR propagation through cosmic photon backgrounds. The presented results allow for probing the properties of the FR0 radio galaxies as cosmic-ray sources using observational high-energy multi-messenger data.
Keywords: ultra-high energy cosmic rays, UHECRs, Pierre Auger Observatory, UHECR propagation, UHECR interactions, UHECR energy spectrum, UHECR mass composition, UHECR sources, Fanaroff-Riley (FR) radio galaxies, FR0 galaxies
Published in RUNG: 24.01.2024; Views: 2370; Downloads: 52
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7. Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum with the Pierre Auger ObservatoryDaniela Mockler, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Ahmed Saleh, Samo Stanič, Marta Trini, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The flux of ultra-high energy cosmic rays above 3×10[sup]17 eV has been measured with unprecedented precision at the Pierre Auger Observatory. The flux of the cosmic rays is determined by four different measurements. The surface detector array provides three data sets, two formed by dividing the data into two zenith angle ranges, and one obtained from a nested, denser detector array. The fourth measurement is obtained with the fluorescence detector. By combining all four data sets, the all-sky flux of cosmic rays is determined. The spectral features are discussed in detail and systematic uncertainties are addressed.
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), Pierre Auger Observatory, UHECR energy spectrum
Published in RUNG: 11.10.2023; Views: 2141; Downloads: 11
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8. Results from the Pierre Auger ObservatoryEsteban Roulet, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Ahmed Saleh, Samo Stanič, Marta Trini, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Some of the results on ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays that have been obtained with the Pierre Auger Observatory are presented. These include measurements of the spectrum, composition and anisotropies. Possible astrophysical scenarios that account for these results are discussed.
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), Pierre Auger Observatory, UHECR energy spectrum, UHECR anisotropies, UHECR mass composition
Published in RUNG: 11.10.2023; Views: 2352; Downloads: 8
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9. The UHECR-FR0 radio galaxy connection : a multi-messenger study of energy spectra/composition emission and intergalactic magnetic field propagationJon Paul Lundquist, Lukas Merten, Serguei Vorobiov, Margot Boughelilba, Anita Reimer, Paolo Da Vela, Fabrizio Tavecchio, Giacomo Bonnoli, Chiara Righi, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: This study investigates low luminosity Fanaroff-Riley Type 0 (FR0) radio galaxies as a potentially
significant source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). Due to their much higher prevalence
in the local universe compared to more powerful radio galaxies (about five times more than
FR-1s), FR0s may provide a substantial fraction of the total UHECR energy density. To determine
the nucleon composition and energy spectrum of UHECRs emitted by FR0 sources, simulation
results from CRPropa3 are fit to Pierre Auger Observatory data. The resulting emission spectral
indices, rigidity cutoffs, and nucleon fractions are compared to recent Auger results. The FR0 simulations
include the approximately isotropic distribution of FR0 galaxies and various intergalactic
magnetic field configurations (including random and structured fields) and predict the fluxes of
secondary photons and neutrinos produced during UHECR propagation through cosmic photon
backgrounds. This comprehensive simulation allows for investigating the properties of the FR0
sources using observational multi-messenger data.
Keywords: ultra-high energy cosmic rays, UHECR propagation, CRPropa, active galactic nuclei, jetted AGN, FR0 radio galaxies, Pierre Auger Observatory, UHECR energy spectrum
Published in RUNG: 24.08.2023; Views: 2608; Downloads: 5
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10. Constraining the sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays across and above the ankle with the spectrum and composition data measured at the Pierre Auger ObservatoryA. Abdul Halim, Andrej Filipčič, Jon Paul Lundquist, Shima Ujjani Shivashankara, Samo Stanič, Serguei Vorobiov, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: In this work we present the interpretation of the energy spectrum and mass composition data as measured by the Pierre Auger Collaboration above 6 × 10[sup]17 eV. We use an astrophysical model with two extragalactic source populations to model the hardening of the cosmic-ray flux at around 5 × 10[sup]18 eV (the so-called "ankle" feature) as a transition between these two components. We find our data to be well reproduced if sources above the ankle emit a mixed composition with a hard spectrum and a low rigidity cutoff. The component below the ankle is required to have a very soft spectrum and a mix of protons and intermediate-mass nuclei. The origin of this intermediate-mass component is not well constrained and it could originate from either Galactic or extragalactic sources. To the aim of evaluating our capability to constrain astrophysical models, we discuss the impact on the fit results of the main experimental systematic uncertainties and of the assumptions about quantities affecting the air shower development as well as the propagation and redshift distribution of injected ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs).
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, Pierre Auger Observatory, extensive air showers, UHECR propagation, UHECR energy spectrum, UHECR mass composition
Published in RUNG: 18.08.2023; Views: 2193; Downloads: 14
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