Calculation of the cosmic ray induced ionization for the region of Athens

Abstract

A complete study of ionization induced by cosmic rays, both solar and galactic, in the atmosphere, is presented. For the computation of the cosmic ray induced ionization, the CRII model was used [1] as well its new version [2] which is extended to the upper atmosphere. In this work, this model has been applied to the entire atmosphere, i.e. from atmospheric depth 0 g/cm2, which corresponds to the upper limit of the atmosphere, to 1025 g/cm2, which corresponds to the surface. Moreover, an application has been made as a function of rigidity and latitude, from 0GV or 90° which corresponds to Polar regions, to 15GV or 0° which corresponds to Equator. Athens corresponds to 8.53GV rigidity and 38°N latitude. An application has, also, been made for the different phases of the solar cycle (maximum at the year 2000 and minimum at the year 2010), which coincides with the operational period of the cosmic ray station of the University of Athens.