Abstract
The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest observatory for the detection of cosmic rays. With the Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) we measure the emitted radio signal of extensive air showers and reconstruct properties of the primary cosmic rays. For horizontal air showers (zenith angles larger than 60°) the signal is distributed over a large area of more than several km2. Therefore, detection of air showers using a sparse radio antenna array, compatible with the 1500 m distance between the 1600 surface detector stations, is possible. The radio technique is sensitive to the electromagnetic component of air showers. Combining radio detection with particle information from the surface detector of the Observatory, which at large zenith angles mostly detects muons, allows to study the cosmic ray composition for horizontal air showers.
Highlights
The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest observatory for the detection of cosmic rays
For horizontal air showers the signal is distributed over a large area of more than several km2
This indicates an increase in the detection efficiency for the coincident observation of air showers with the surface detector and Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA)
Summary
The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest observatory for the detection of cosmic rays. With the Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) we measure the emitted radio signal of extensive air showers and reconstruct properties of the primary cosmic rays. For horizontal air showers (zenith angles larger than 60◦) the signal is distributed over a large area of more than several km2. Detection of air showers using a sparse radio antenna array, compatible with the 1500 m distance between the 1600 surface detector stations, is possible.
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