A fully time-dependent ab initio cosmic-ray modulation model applied to historical cosmic-ray modulation

Abstract

Cosmogenic nuclide records can in principle allow for the estimation of the behavior of the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF) in the distant past. This requires careful modeling of cosmic-ray transport in a manner that is as realistic as possible, taking into account as many of the factors affecting the transport of cosmic-rays (CRs) as possible. The present study presents a 3D time-dependent ab initio CR modulation code that utilizes as inputs simple theoretically and observationally motivated temporal profiles to model large-scale (such as the tilt angle) and small-scale (such as the magnetic variance) parameters relevant to CR transport. Galactic CR proton differential intensities computed using this model for the period 1977–2001 are in reasonable to good agreement with spacecraft observations, reproducing the major salient features of the observed CR intensity temporal profile. To investigate pre-space-age cosmic-ray modulation, and to test conclusions previously drawn regarding the relative importance of drift effects on said modulation, historic estimates of the past HMF presented by McCracken & Beer were used as inputs for the model. The resulting CR temporal intensity profile displays clear evidence of drift effects, with a sharp peak in intensities during the Dalton Minimum