Variations of the cosmic radiation in November 1960

Two increases of about 100% in the cosmic-ray nucleonic intensity were recorded at Mount Washington and Durham, New Hampshire, on November 12 and 15 following large solar flares. A third small increase was observed on November 20. The two large increases exhibited different features, and these differences are discussed in relation to solar phenomena. From a study of the worldwide nucleonic intensity data it is found that the rigidity spectrum can be expressed as KP/sup -n/, with n = 6 for both flares; for the increase on November 12, there is particle dispersion, and an approximate evaluation of the diffusion has been made; the classical impact-zone theory does not apply for these flares, evidence being presented for the existence of magnetic fields and some scattering effects between the earth and the sun. (auth)