Interplanetary cosmic ray intensity - 1972-1984 and out to 32 AU
The interplanetary cosmic-ray intensity was measured over a complete solar activity cycle for heliocentric distances of up to 32 AU, using the Geiger-Mueller tubes on Pioneer 10 and 11. The study uses the revised background rates derived from observations during the Saturn encounter of Pioneer 11 (September 1, 1979). Time profiles of the intensity for the 1972-1984 period have a flat and relatively constant maximum for 1975 through 1977, a brief (8-month) minimum in mid-1981, and a maximum centered around early January, 1983. The maximum-to-minimum intensity ratio for the solar activity cycle is approximately 2.7. The correlation among the Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, and Deep River observation results is found to be fairly good. The radius of the heliospheric modulation region is noted to be greater than 32 AU; certain arguments indicate that it lies between 50 and 100 AU.