Secondary effects from cosmic rays

Protons, nuclei and electrons in cosmic rays would appear to inherit their energy spectrum from this mechanism, associated with shock waves. A non-thermal component in X-ray emissions from the recently discovered remnant of the 1006 supernova provides direct confirmation. 

Shock waves abound in the Galaxy. They are produced by any supersonic movement of matter. The average speed of sound in the interstellar medium is around 10 km and it is not unusual to find it exceeded by a wide margin. The 

Cosmic rays like nothing better than to share their fabulous energies. They dole it out in various ways, ionising and heating matter encountered along their path. 

Fast-moving electrons, for their part, spiral through magnetic fields emitting 

These then are the actors on the cosmic stage. So let the curtain rise  

---