Latitudinal and longitudinal dependence of the cosmic ray diurnal anisotropy during 2001-2014

Abstract. The diurnal anisotropy of cosmic ray intensity for the time period 2001 to 2014 is studied, covering the maximum and the descending phase of solar cycle 23, the minimum between solar cycles 23 and 24, and the ascending phase and maximum of solar cycle 24. Cosmic ray intensity data from 11 neutron monitor stations located at different places around the Northern Hemisphere obtained from the high-resolution Neutron Monitor Database (NMDB) were used. Special software was developed for the calculations of the amplitude and the phase of the diurnal anisotropy vectors on annual and monthly basis using Fourier analysis and for the creation of the harmonic dial diagrams. The geomagnetic bending for each station was taken into account in our calculations determined from the asymptotic cones of each station via the Tsyganenko96 (Tsyganenko and Stern, 1996) magnetospheric model. From our analysis, it was resulted that there is a different behavior of the diurnal anisotropy vectors during the different phases of the solar cycles depending on the solar magnetic field polarity. The latitudinal and longitudinal distribution of the cosmic ray diurnal anisotropy was also examined by grouping the stations according to their geographic coordinates, and it was shown that diurnal variation is modulated not only by the latitude but also by the longitude of the stations. The diurnal anisotropy during strong events of solar and/or cosmic ray activity is discussed

Diurnal anisotropy of cosmic rays during intensive solar activity for the period 2001-2014

The diurnal variation of cosmic ray intensity, based on the records of two neutron monitor stations at Athens (Greece) and Oulu (Finland) for the time period 2001 to 2014, is studied. This period covers the maximum and the descending phase of the solar cycle 23, the minimum of the solar cycles 23/24 and the ascending phase of the solar cycle 24.These two stations differ in their geographic latitude and magnetic threshold rigidity. The amplitude and phase of the diurnal anisotropy vectors have been calculated on annual and monthly basis. From our analysis it is resulted that there is a different behaviour in the characteristics of the diurnal anisotropy during the different phases of the solar cycle, depended on the solar magnetic field polarity, but also during extreme events of solar activity, such as Ground Level Enhancements and cosmic ray events, such as Forbush decreases and magnetospheric events. These results may be useful to Space Weather forecasting and especially to Biomagnetic studies. © 2015Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Analysis of the Legal Framework on Hazardous Substances: A multilevel correlation between International, European and National Perspective

This paper explores the legal framework for hazardous substances applied in Greece, in combination with European and international legislation through the years, by addressing the core regulations enacted. These refer to the classification of hazardous substances, their transportation, the accidents’ prevention and the environmental impact of such accidents. The REACH and CLP framework is presented, alongside with the adoption of its requirements by each Member State. The SEVESO III directive is analyzed, indicating the necessity of its application to more complicated cases. The significance of transportation of hazardous substances is highlighted, based on the ADR/RID/AND regulations, governing international carriage of such substances. The incorporation of Directive 2004/35/EC (ELD) regarding the environmental impact of accidents caused by hazardous substances is addressed. This analysis explicitly defines the terms this directive and its progress can establish a way of jurisdiction regarding environmental law, indicates the significance of the enforcement of the provisions regarding hazardous substances and ensures that all existing regulations conduct a more safe and environmentally friendly operation. It is essential to identify the difficulties of the establishment of a generic framework for different countries within European countries and how this frame should be updated to comprehend new members’ features © 2021 School of Science, IHU. All rights reserve

Assessing radiation exposure inside the earth⇔s atmosphere

The study of the particle showers created inside the Earth’s atmosphere due to interactions of cosmic rays of solar and galactic origin is of great importance for the determination of the radiation impact on technological and biological systems. DYASTIMA is a Geant4-based software application that simulates the evolution of secondary particle cascades inside the atmosphere of Earth. DYASTIMA-R is a new feature especially created for assessing the exposure of flight-personnel and frequent flyers to cosmic radiation by performing calculations of radiobiological quantities, such as dose and equivalent dose rates for several air-flight scenarios. In this work, the validation of DYASTIMA/DYASTIMA-R, according to internationally accepted ICRP and ICRU standards, is discussed. Initial results for radiobiological quantities for several air-flight scenarios are also included. The results for specific scenarios calculated by DYASTIMA/DYASTIMA-R are provided as a federated product through the European Space Agency Space Situational Awareness Space Weather Service Centre Network. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved

Latitudinal and longitudinal dependence of the cosmic ray diurnal anisotropy during 2001-2014

The diurnal anisotropy of cosmic ray intensity for the time period 2001 to 2014 is studied, covering the maximum and the descending phase of solar cycle 23, the minimum between solar cycles 23 and 24, and the ascending phase and maximum of solar cycle 24. Cosmic ray intensity data from 11 neutron monitor stations located at different places around the Northern Hemisphere obtained from the high-resolution Neutron Monitor Database (NMDB) were used. Special software was developed for the calculations of the amplitude and the phase of the diurnal anisotropy vectors on annual and monthly basis using Fourier analysis and for the creation of the harmonic dial diagrams. The geomagnetic bending for each station was taken into account in our calculations determined from the asymptotic cones of each station via the Tsyganenko96 (Tsyganenko and Stern, 1996) magnetospheric model. From our analysis, it was resulted that there is a different behavior of the diurnal anisotropy vectors during the different phases of the solar cycles depending on the solar magnetic field polarity. The latitudinal and longitudinal distribution of the cosmic ray diurnal anisotropy was also examined by grouping the stations according to their geographic coordinates, and it was shown that diurnal variation is modulated not only by the latitude but also by the longitude of the stations. The diurnal anisotropy during strong events of solar and/or cosmic ray activity is discussed. © Author(s) 2016

Real-Time Detection of the Ground Level Enhancement on 10 September 2017 by A.Ne.Mo.S.: System Report

On 10 September 2017, a ground level enhancement (GLE) of cosmic ray intensity, identified as GLE72, was recorded by several stations of the worldwide neutron monitor network provided by the high-resolution Neutron Monitor Database. The solar proton event that resulted in this GLE was associated with active region AR2673, which produced an X8.2 flare on the solar west limb. Protons were measured by the GOES satellites with energies above 10, 50, and 100 MeV, while particles at higher energies above 500 MeV were registered by ground-based neutron monitors. This GLE event was successfully detected in real time by the GLE Alert plus System of the Athens Neutron Monitor Station (A.Ne.Mo.S.). In this work an overview of the GLE72 event is given, and a detailed analysis of the evolution of the GLE Alert signal issued by the GLE Alert plus System as well as a postevent summary are presented. ©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved

Estimation of cosmic-ray-induced atmospheric ionization and radiation at commercial aviation flight altitudes

Abstract The main source of the ionization of the Earth’s atmosphere is the cosmic radiation that depends on solar activity as well as geomagnetic activity. Galactic cosmic rays constitute a permanent radiation background and contribute significantly to the radiation exposure inside the atmosphere. In this work, the cosmic-ray-induced ionization of the Earth’s atmosphere, due to both solar and galactic cosmic radiation during the recent solar cycles 23 (1996–2008) and 24 (2008–2019), was studied globally. Estimations of the ionization were based on the CRAC:CRII model by the University of Oulu. The use of this model allowed for extensive calculations from the Earth’s surface (atmospheric depth 1033 g/cm2) to the upper limit of the atmosphere (atmospheric depth 0 g/cm2). Monte Carlo simulations were performed for the estimation quantities of radiobiological interest with the validated software DYASTIMA/DYASTIMA-R. This study was focused on specific altitudes of interest, such as the common flight levels used by commercial aviation