Cosmic Rays and the Monogem Supernova Remnant

Abstract

Recent findings indicate that the Monogem Ring supernova remnant (SNR) and the associated pulsar B0656+14 may be the 'Single Source' responsible for the knee in the cosmic ray (CR) energy spectrum at ~3 PeV. We estimate the contribution of this pulsar to CR in the PeV region. We conclude that although the pulsar can contribute to the formation of the knee, it cannot be the domimant source and a SNR is still needed. We also examine the possibility of the pulsar giving the peak of the extensive air shower (EAS) intensity observed from the region inside the Monogem Ring. If the experimental EAS results concerning a narrow source are confirmed, they can be important, since they give evidence: (i) for the acceleration of protons and heavier nuclei by the pulsar; (ii) for the existence of the confinement mechanism in SNR; (iii) that CR produced by the Monogem Ring SNR and associated pulsar B0656+14 were released recently giving rise to the formation of the knee and the observed narrow peak in the EAS intensity; (iv) for the Monogem Ring and the associated pulsar B0656+14 being identified as the Single Source proposed in our Single Source Model of the knee. A number of predictions of the examined scenario are made.