Proving “new physics” by measuring cosmic ray fluxes

Abstract

Radiation on Earth’s surface has been measured for more than a century using different particle detectors. These detectors have evolved from electroscopes to sophisticated, thousands-ton LHC detectors. Recently, with the availability of cheap particle detectors and simple data acquisition systems, publications have attempted to link changes in detector count rate to various astrophysical phenomena. However, measurement errors, meteorological conditions, and disturbances of electrical and geomagnetic fields can significantly impact cosmic ray fluxes. Some authors overlook these factors and publish “unique” correlations between their detector count rates and events such as solar and lunar eclipses, lightning strokes, Venus’s transit over the Sun, and others.When searching for the causes of cosmic ray enhancements, carefully distinguishing the atmospheric, instrumental, and astrophysical effects is essential. This paper aims to demonstrate how analyzing different species of cosmic ray flux can provide valuable insights into the underlying physical processes. We will explain how to verify that measurements are not due to abrupt changes in atmospheric conditions or equipment malfunctions but rather evidence of a novel physical phenomenon. Our goal is to provide a clear path from measurement to physical inference.