A new view of UHECRs with the Pierre Auger Observatory

Abstract

In its Phase I, the Pierre Auger Observatory has led to several observations, driving the field of ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) research over the last 20 years. Major achievements obtained so far include the unprecedented precise energy spectrum and its features, the observables linked to the UHECR mass composition and the distribution of arrival directions of the most energetic events. These results, together with the non-observation of high-energy neutrinos and photons, strongly disfavor the pre-Auger pure-proton paradigm. In this talk, we will provide an overview on the main results of the Observatory, and describe possible astrophysical scenarios for their interpretation. The prospects of improving the current understanding about UHECR characteristics during the Phase II of the Observatory will be also shown.