Atmospheric effects on extensive air showers observed with the Surface Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Atmospheric parameters, such as pressure (P), temperature (T) and density, affect the development of extensive air showers initiated by energetic cosmic rays. We have studied the impact of atmospheric variations on extensive air showers by means of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The rate of events shows a ~10% seasonal modulation and ~2% diurnal one. We find that the observed behaviour is explained by a model including the effects associated with the variations of pressure and density. The former affects the longitudinal development of air showers while the latter influences the Moliere radius and hence the lateral distribution of the shower particles. The model is validated with full simulations of extensive air showers using atmospheric profiles measured at the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

The Fluorescence Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Pierre Auger Observatory is a hybrid detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays. It combines a surface array to measure secondary particles at ground level together with a fluorescence detector to measure the development of air showers in the atmosphere above the array. The fluorescence detector comprises 24 large telescopes specialized for measuring the nitrogen fluorescence caused by charged particles of cosmic ray air showers. In this paper we describe the components of the fluorescence detector including its optical system, the design of the camera, the electronics, and the systems for relative and absolute calibration. We also discuss the operation and the monitoring of the detector. Finally, we evaluate the detector performance and precision of shower reconstructions.Comment: 53 pages. Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section

Upper limit on the cosmic-ray photon fraction at EeV energies from the Pierre Auger Observatory

From direct observations of the longitudinal development of ultra-high energy air showers performed with the Pierre Auger Observatory, upper limits of 3.8%, 2.4%, 3.5% and 11.7% (at 95% c.l.) are obtained on the fraction of cosmic-ray photons above 2, 3, 5 and 10 EeV (1 EeV = 10^18 eV) respectively. These are the first experimental limits on ultra-high energy photons at energies below 10 EeV. The results complement previous constraints on top-down models from array data and they reduce systematic uncertainties in the interpretation of shower data in terms of primary flux, nuclear composition and proton-air cross-section.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Minor changes. Accepted by Astroparticle Physic

Qualidade das silagens de genótipos de girassol (Helianthus annuus) confeiteiros e produtores de óleo Quality of silages of sunflower genotypes (Helianthus annuus) confectioners and oil producers

Avaliou-se a qualidade das silagens de três genótipos de girassol produtores de óleo (M742, IAC Uruguai e V2000) e três com sementes confeiteiras (Mycogen 93338, Victoria 807, Victoria 627). Os silos foram abertos após 56 dias de fermentação. Os menores valores de matéria seca observados foram para os genótipos Mycogen 93338 e V2000. Não foram observadas diferenças nos teores de proteína bruta entre cinco dos seis genótipos estudados. Com exceção do IAC Uruguai, os genótipos com sementes produtoras de óleo apresentaram valores de extrato etéreo mais altos que os confeiteiros. Os valores de fibra em detergente neutro variaram de 43,6% a 55,8%. Os menores teores de fibra em detergente ácido foram 33,2% para o V2000 e 35,2% para o Mycogen 93338. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os valores obtidos para N-NH3/NT. O valor de pH médio das silagens foi de 4,51. Os maiores valores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca foram 52,0% para o V2000 e 54,5% para o Mycogen 93338. As silagens dos genótipos confeiteiros e dos genótipos produtores de óleo foram classificadas como de boa qualidade para os parâmetros avaliados, o que demonstra o potencial do girassol como uma opção para produção de silagem na época da safrinha.<br>Quality of Sunflower silage was determined using genotypes Mycogen, Victoria 807, Victoria 627, M742, IAC Uruguai, V2000. The silos were opened on the 56th day of fermentation. The lowest dry matter values were for the genotypes Mycogen 93338 and V2000. In relation to the CP values, differences were not observed among five of the six genotypes. The genotypes with oil producer seed showed highest ether extract values, which were different from the confectionary variety, except IAC Uruguai. The observed values of neutral detergent fiber varied from 43.6% to 55.8%. For the acid detergent fiber concentrations the genotypes V2000 with 33.2% and Mycogen with 35.2% showed the lowest values. Differences for N-NH3/TN values were not observed. The pH mean value of the silages was 4.51. The highest values of in vitro dry matter digestibility were obtained for the silages of the genotypes V2000 (51.2%) and Mycogen 93338 with 54.5%. The silages from confectionary variety as well as the silages of sunflowers oil producers were classified as good quality for the evaluated parameters, demonstrating the potential of the sunflower as an option for production of silage at the time of summer post-harvesting

Correlation of the Highest-energy Cosmic Rays with the Positions of Nearby Active Galactic Nuclei.

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory provide evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of the cosmic rays with the highest energies, which are correlated with the positions of relatively nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) \cite{science}. The correlation has maximum significance for cosmic rays with energy greater than ~ 6x10^{19}$ eV and AGN at a distance less than ~ 75 Mpc. We have confirmed the anisotropy at a confidence level of more than 99% through a test with parameters specified {\em a priori}, using an independent data set. The observed correlation is compatible with the hypothesis that cosmic rays with the highest energies originate from extra-galactic sources close enough so that their flux is not significantly attenuated by interaction with the cosmic background radiation (the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min effect). The angular scale of the correlation observed is a few degrees, which suggests a predominantly light composition unless the magnetic fields are very weak outside the thin disk of our galaxy. Our present data do not identify AGN as the sources of cosmic rays unambiguously, and other candidate sources which are distributed as nearby AGN are not ruled out. We discuss the prospect of unequivocal identification of individual sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays within a few years of continued operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: 33 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Astropart. phys. Now match the published versio

Atmospheric effects on extensive air showers observed with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger observatory

International audienceAtmospheric parameters, such as pressure , temperature and density ∝, affect the development of extensive air showers initiated by energetic cosmic rays. We have studied the impact of atmospheric variations on extensive air showers by means of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The rate of events shows a ∼10% seasonal modulation and ∼2% diurnal one. We find that the observed behaviour is explained by a model including the effects associated with the variations of and . The former affects the longitudinal development of air showers while the latter influences the Molière radius and hence the lateral distribution of the shower particles. The model is validated with full simulations of extensive air showers using atmospheric profiles measured at the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Atmospheric effects on extensive air showers observed with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger observatory

International audienceAtmospheric parameters, such as pressure , temperature and density ∝, affect the development of extensive air showers initiated by energetic cosmic rays. We have studied the impact of atmospheric variations on extensive air showers by means of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The rate of events shows a ∼10% seasonal modulation and ∼2% diurnal one. We find that the observed behaviour is explained by a model including the effects associated with the variations of and . The former affects the longitudinal development of air showers while the latter influences the Molière radius and hence the lateral distribution of the shower particles. The model is validated with full simulations of extensive air showers using atmospheric profiles measured at the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Calibration and Monitoring of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Contributions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland, July 2009International audienceReports on the atmospheric monitoring, calibration, and other operating systems of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Contributions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland, July 2009