Infrared planetary detection and cosmic ray Cerenkov radiation

Infrared emission from a planet at a very small angular separation from its star offers the possibility for detection by interferometry from space. However it has been suggested that attention should be paid to interference produced by the infrared radiation that would be generated within the space package by cosmic ray protons. Quantitative examination reveals that both the primary Cerenkov flux and the secondary infrared emission from Cerenkov heating are negligible. (Auth.)