122 research outputs found
Study of the time-differentiated particle flux density at various distances from EAS axis
The EAS time structure is studied using the enlarged EAS array of the Moscow State University. The time measurements are made using 22 scintillators which form 13 rectanges of 180x190 sq m size covering the entire array area. The array is triggered by a signal of 4-fold coincidences of the pulses from the detectors forming each of the rectangles. The data were obtained during 2200 hours of the array operation in 1984. A total of 816 showers, to which at least 14 of 22 scintillator detectors responded, were selected among all those detected. The coordinates of the EAS axis in the observation plane and the EAS sizes were determined by the maximum likelihood method using a computer on the assumption that the electron LDF is the NKG form. A total of 492 showers in the interval of EAS size Ne = 5x10 to the 6th power - 2x10 to the 8th power (N bar e = 1.7x 10 to the 7th power) with zenith angles theta or = 45 deg and axes within the array are analyzed
The current status of orbital experiments for UHECR studies
Two types of orbital detectors of extreme energy cosmic rays are being
developed nowadays: (i) TUS and KLYPVE with reflecting optical systems
(mirrors) and (ii) JEM-EUSO with high-transmittance Fresnel lenses. They will
cover much larger areas than existing ground-based arrays and almost uniformly
monitor the celestial sphere. The TUS detector is the pioneering mission
developed in SINP MSU in cooperation with several Russian and foreign
institutions. It has relatively small field of view (+/-4.5 deg), which
corresponds to a ground area of 6.4x10^3 sq.km. The telescope consists of a
Fresnel-type mirror-concentrator (~2 sq.m) and a photo receiver (a matrix of
16x16 photomultiplier tubes). It is to be deployed on the Lomonosov satellite,
and is currently at the final stage of preflight tests. Recently, SINP MSU
began the KLYPVE project to be installed on board of the Russian segment of the
ISS. The optical system of this detector contains a larger primary mirror (10
sq.m), which allows decreasing the energy threshold. The total effective field
of view will be at least +/-14 degrees to exceed the annual exposure of the
existing ground-based experiments. Several configurations of the detector are
being currently considered. Finally, JEM-EUSO is a wide field of view (+/-30
deg) detector. The optics is composed of two curved double-sided Fresnel lenses
with 2.65 m external diameter, a precision diffractive middle lens and a pupil.
The ultraviolet photons are focused onto the focal surface, which consists of
nearly 5000 multi-anode photomultipliers. It is developed by a large
international collaboration. All three orbital detectors have multi-purpose
character due to continuous monitoring of various atmospheric phenomena. The
present status of development of the TUS and KLYPVE missions is reported, and a
brief comparison of the projects with JEM-EUSO is given.Comment: 18 pages; based on the rapporteur talk given by M.I. Panasyuk at
ECRS-2014; v2: a few minor language issues fixed thanks to the editor; to be
published in the proceeding
An extensive-air-shower-like event registered with the TUS orbital detector
TUS (Tracking Ultraviolet Set-up) is the world's first orbital detector of
ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). It was launched into orbit on 28th
April 2016 as a part of the scientific payload of the Lomonosov satellite. The
main aim of the mission was to test the technique of measuring the ultraviolet
fluorescence and Cherenkov radiation of extensive air showers generated by
primary cosmic rays with energies above ~100 EeV in the Earth atmosphere from
space. During its operation for 1.5 years, TUS registered almost 80,000 events
with a few of them satisfying conditions anticipated for extensive air showers
(EASs) initiated by UHECRs. Here we discuss an event registered on 3rd October
2016. The event was measured in perfect observation conditions as an
ultraviolet track in the nocturnal atmosphere of the Earth, with the kinematics
and the light curve similar to those expected from an EAS. A reconstruction of
parameters of a primary particle gave the zenith angle around 44 but an
extreme energy not compatible with the cosmic ray energy spectrum obtained with
ground-based experiments. We discuss in details all conditions of registering
the event, explain the reconstruction procedure and its limitations and comment
on possible sources of the signal, both of anthropogenic and astrophysical
origin. We believe this detection represents a significant milestone in the
space-based observation of UHECRs because it proves the capability of an
orbital telescope to detect light signals with the apparent motion and light
shape similar to what are expected from EASs. This is important for the
on-going development of the future missions KLYPVE-EUSO and POEMMA, aimed for
studying UHECRs from space.Comment: 24 pages; v2: important changes to address comments by the anonymous
referee; main conclusions unchange
Performances of JEM-EUSO
In this paper we describe the requirements and the expected performances of JEM-EUSO. Designed as the first mission to explore the Ultra High Energy Universe from space, JEM-EUSO will monitor the earth's atmosphere at night to record the UV (300–400 nm) tracks generated by the Extensive Air Showers produced by Ultra High Energy primaries propagating in the atmosphere. After briefing summarizing the main aspects of the JEM-EUSO Instrument and mission baseline, we will present, in details, our studies of the expected trigger rate, the estimated exposure, as well as on the expected angular, energy, and Xmax resolution. Eventually, the obtained results will be discussed in the context of the scientific requirements of the mission
- …