The Mysterious Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Ray Clustering

Abstract

We examine the correlation between compact radio quasars (redshifts in the range $z=0.3-2.2$) and the arrival direction of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays forming clusters. Our Monte Carlo simulation reveals a statistically significant correlation on the AGASA sample: the chance probability of this effect being less than 1%. The implications of this result on the origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are discussed.

Comments: Updates to match journal version