Abstract
We compare the tau neutrino flux arising from the galaxy and the earth atmosphere for 10 3 ≤ E=G/V ≤ 10 11 . The intrinsic and oscillated tau neutrino fluxes from both sources are calculated. The intrinsic galactic v τ flux (E ≥10 3 GeV) is calculated by considering the interactions of high-energy cosmic-rays with the matter present in our galaxy, whereas the oscillated galactic v τ flux is coming from the oscillation of the galactic v μ flux. For the intrinsic atmospheric v τ flux, we extend the validity of a previous calculation from E ≤ 10 6 GeV up to E ≤ 10 11 GeV. The oscillated atmospheric v τ flux is, on the other hand, rather suppressed. We find that, for 10 3 ≤ E/GeV ≤ 5 × 10 7 , the oscillated v τ flux along the galactic plane dominates over the maximal intrinsic atmospheric v τ flux, i.e., the flux along the horizontal direction. We also briefley mention the presently envisaged prospects for observing these high-energy tau neutrinos. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.