Ultra high-energy comic rays: probing the local Universe

Abstract

A general view is presented on the problem of propagation of ultra high-energy cosmic rays through the intergalactic and galactic magnetic fields. Especial emphasis is given to the possibility of correlating the present events with potential sources face to the uncertainties in the intervening magnetic fields. Given high enough statistics, the latter problem can be transformed into a powerful tool for the study of cosmic magnetic fields. Finally, the three pairs of events pointed out by the AGASA collaboration as a possible evidence for clustering are analyzed.