Cosmic Ray Electrons

Modulation of cosmic electrons is similar to that of nuclei, but there are clear differences. At energies below 100 MeV the electron spectrum has a negative slope, which may in some way be related to electrons released from the magnetosphere of the planet Jupiter. If there is such a relationship, its nature is not established, and alternative explanations for the upturn exist. At higher energies, electrons are predominantly negatively charged, and it is probable that the difference in net charge sign from that of nuclei is responsible for many of the observed differences in the behavior of electrons and nuclei under modulation. A consistent picture of the cosmic positron abundance and its time variation may be emerging from the world dataset.