UHECR Composition Models

Abstract

In light of the increasingly heavy UHECR composition at the highest energies, as observed by the Pierre Auger Observatory, the implications of these results on the actual source composition and spectra are investigated. Depending on the maximum energy of the particles accelerated, sources producing hard spectra and/or containing a considerably enhanced heavy component appear a necessary requirement. Consideration is made of two archetypal models compatible with these results. The secondary signatures expected , following the propagation of the nuclear species from source to Earth, are determined for these two example cases. Finally, the effect introduced by the presence of nG extragalactic magnetic fields in collaboration with a large (80 Mpc) distance to the nearest source is discussed.