The idea proposed by Teller and Richtmyer that the cosmic radiation is a local solar phenomenon is developed.

It is shown that motion of interstellar matter is likely to amplify a primary interstellar magnetic field up to the value of the order ${10}^{-5\mathrm{}}$ gauss postulated by Richtmyer and Teller.

According to an earlier suggestion, magnetic storm variations of cosmic radiation are due to electric fields set up within the solar system by the storm-producing beams. It is shown that the long-time effect of the same mechanism may account for the generation of cosmic radiation. It is of special interest that there seems to be some hope to derive theoretically the observational energy spectrum.

• Received 27 January 1949

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.75.1732