The cosmic ray primary spectrum in the transition region between direct and indirect measurements (10 TeV - 10 PeV)

The cosmic ray spectrum between 10 TeV and 10 PeV is a key region to understand the origin and the acceleration processes of the galactic radiation. Around 100 TeV measurements performed by balloons and air shower arrays partially overlap. The experimental results recently obtained by both techniques are summarized. The picture that comes out from a common interpretation of the data is a steeper proton spectrum compared to the helium and CNO groups with a dominance of the helium component in the knee region. The agreeement on the proton spectrum by balloons and air shower arrays is remarkable.