Spectra of cosmic ray carbon and oxygen nuclei according to the NUCLEON experiment

Abstract The aim of the NUCLEON space was to measure spectra of high-energy cosmic rays. The cosmic ray acceleration and propagation processes are determined by the magnetic rigidities of the particles. Thus the magnetic rigidity spectra of cosmic ray carbon and oxygen nuclei obtained by the NUCLEON experiment are analyzed and compared to some other experimental results. The spectral indices calculated for different thresholds with regard to magnetic rigidity are presented. The carbon and oxygen nuclei spectra are steeper than helium nuclei spectra in the 400-10000 GV area. The spectra of carbon and oxygen nuclei are similar to the proton spectrum before the “knee”.