Neutron Monitor Count Rate Research Articles

Analysis of neutron monitor count rates and timing distributions from latitude surveys

Neutron monitors continuously record the hadronic part of secondary atmospheric radiation on the ground, which originates from primary cosmic rays. In Thailand, we developed a mobile neutron monitor housed inside a standard-size shipping container named “Changvan.” It contains three neutron-sensitive proportional counters set up in the typical NM64 layout. However, the central counter doesn’t have the lead producer, leading us to refer to it as a “semi-leaded” neutron monitor. We examined cosmic ray spectral variations on two latitude surveys during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. This work examines the ratio of count rates between leaded and unleaded setups, which shows notable variation based on geomagnetic cutoff rigidity, suggesting a sensitivity to the cosmic ray spectrum. This measurement could be implemented at stationary stations. The unleaded counter, shielded by the reflector with a higher count from nearby lead, may have advantages over a bare one. Furthermore, we explore alternative techniques to identify spectral changes in Galactic cosmic rays using Changvan data. We analyze using time delay histograms to determine the leader fraction (L) of neutrons that are not preceded by another neutron from the same primary cosmic ray. We also examine other parameters, including the alpha (α) parameter and pulse rate (PR), which can be compared with count rates (CR). Our findings indicate that the ratios of L and α are not significantly affected by geomagnetic cutoff rigidity. In contrast, CR and PR exhibit significant dependency and show opposite trends.

Monte Carlo Simulation and measurement of Calibration Neutron Monitor count rate dependence on proximity to water

Due to their global availability, neutron monitors play a crucial role in measuring time variations in the Galactic cosmic ray flux. A portable calibration neutron monitor (CalMon) is useful for intercalibrating various neutron monitors to ensure accurate measurements. A common technique to ensure that the calibration is done in a consistent environment is to place the CalMon at some height above a wide container (such as a portable swimming pool) filled with water. This study investigates the impact of CalMon height and water depth on the count rate ratio relative to a standard 18NM64 count rate recorded nearby (CalMon/18NM64). We compare simulated data from the FLUKA Monte Carlo package to experimental data from [1] to demonstrate the statistical accuracy of our simulation. Using the simulation results, we then extend the study of the proximity-to-water effect on the counting rate. In this work, we present a preliminary empirical model by analyzing the CalMon/18NM64 as a function of CalMon to water distance. Overall, our study enhances understanding of the response of calibration monitors (now often called “mini-neutron monitors”) operated in various locations worldwide, and validates the Monte Carlo techniques used to model the response of the global neutron monitor network.

Solar Magnetic Polarity Effect on Neutron Monitor Count Rates: Comparing Latitude Surveys and Antarctic Stations

The Galactic cosmic-ray spectrum manifests pronounced variations over the 11 yr sunspot cycle and more subtle variations over the 22 yr solar magnetic cycle. An important tool to study these variations is repeated latitude surveys with neutron monitors (NMs) on board icebreakers in conjunction with land-based references. We revisit 13 annual latitude surveys from 1994 to 2007 using reference data from the Mawson NM instead of McMurdo NM (which closed in 2017). We then consider two more latitude surveys (2018 and 2019) with a monitor similar to the 3NM64 in the previous surveys but without lead rings around the central tube, a so-called “semi-leaded neutron monitor.” The new surveys extend the linear relationship among data taken at different cutoff rigidity ranges. They also confirm the “crossover” measured near solar minima during epochs of opposite solar magnetic polarity and the absence of a crossover for epochs having the same solar magnetic polarity.

Charge-Sign Dependent Cosmic-Ray Modulation Observed with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the International Space Station.

We present the observation of a charge-sign dependent solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope onboard the International Space Station over 6yr, corresponding to the positive polarity of the solar magnetic field. The observed variation of proton count rate is consistent with the neutron monitor count rate, validating our methods for determining the proton count rate. It is observed by the Calorimetric Electron Telescope that both GCR electron and proton count rates at the same average rigidity vary in anticorrelation with the tilt angle of the heliospheric current sheet, while the amplitude of the variation is significantly larger in the electron count rate than in the proton count rate. We show that this observed charge-sign dependence is reproduced by a numerical "drift model" of the GCR transport in the heliosphere. This is a clear signature of the drift effect on the long-term solar modulation observed with a single detector.

Study of the Relationship Between Sunspot Number and the Duration of the ≈ 1.6 – 2.2 Year Period in Neutron Monitor Counting Rates

Neutron monitor counting rates show periodicities in the ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year range. These periodicities have been associated with a solar origin affecting the cosmic ray propagation conditions through the heliosphere. Our hypothesis is that the periodicities in the ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-years range correspond to a single periodicity that changes its duration over time.López-Comazzi and Blanco (Astrophys. J.927(2), 155, 2022) found that the duration of the ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year period (tau ) is linearly related to the average sunspot number (SSN_{a}) in each solar cycle. The relationship shows that shorter ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year periods occur during stronger cycles when SSN_{a} is higher. Therefore, the duration of this period varies from one solar cycle to another. This study focuses on this relation. For obtaining this relation, the values of the duration of the ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year period in global neutron monitor counting rates (a virtual station determined by averaging of the different neutron monitor counting rates along the world) along the Solar Cycles 20 – 24 have been used. We extend the sample by adding the duration of the ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year period in Huancayo neutron monitor counting rates along Solar Cycle 19 to this linear relationship. Once the linear relationship is extended, tau for the current Solar Cycle 25 is computed giving ≈ 2.24 years. Drawing on this more accurate relationship given by SSN_{a} = (-120 pm 10) : tau + (320 pm 20), we computed tau for the cycles previous to the existence of neutron monitors (Solar Cycles 7 – 18).These ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year periodicities in neutron monitor counting rates could be produce by variations in the solar magnetic field due to an internal mechanism of the solar dynamo called Rossby waves. Concretely, the harmonic of fast Rossby waves with m=1 and n=8 fit with the detected ≈ 1.6 – 2.2-year periodicity. In addition, the variation of the solar magnetic-field strength from weaker to stronger solar cycles could explain the different periods detected in each cycle. Based on the detected periodicities using the dispersion relation for fast Rossby waves, a solar tachocline magnetic-field strength of ≈ 7 – 25 kG has been estimated.

The time profile of relativistic solar particle events as observed by neutron monitors

The most energetic particles accelerated in solar eruptive events are protons and nuclei with energies that may reach a few tens of GeV. They can be detected on the Earth through the secondaries they produce when interacting with the atmosphere. Solar energetic particle events where this happens are called Ground-Level Enhancements (GLEs). Their study is relevant on the one hand because the high particle energies pose particularly strong challenges to the understanding of the acceleration processes. On the other hand, the secondary particles constitute a source of radiation in the atmosphere that may temporarily exceed the permanent dose rate from galactic cosmic rays. This makes the monitoring of radiation doses received by aircrew from GLEs one issue of space weather services for civil aviation. This study addresses the time profiles of GLEs, in the search for commonalities that can be used to constrain models of acceleration and propagation and to forecast the evolution of an ongoing event. We investigate historical GLEs (1971–2012) with the worldwide network of neutron monitors, comparing the rise and the decay as observed by the neutron monitor with the strongest response. The sample comprises 23 events. We evaluate statistical correlations between rise time and decay time inferred from fits to the time profiles and compute a normalised median GLE time profile. An empirical correlation reported in earlier work between the observed rise times and decay times of the neutron monitor count rate profiles is confirmed. We find indications of a statistical relationship between the rise times and the parent eruptive activity. We discuss ideas on the mechanisms behind the correlation of rise and decay times and on its usefulness for space weather services.

Extracting Hale Cycle Related Components from Cosmic-Ray Data Using Principal Component Analysis

We decompose the monthly cosmic-ray data, using several neutron-monitor count rates, of Cycles 19 – 24 with principal component analysis (PCA). Using different cycle limits, we show that the first and second PC of cosmic-ray (CR) data explain 77 – 79% and 13 – 15% of the total variation of the Oulu CR Cycles 20 – 24 (C20 – C24), 73 – 77% and 13 – 17% of the variation of Hermanus C20 – C24, and 74 – 78% and 17 – 21% of the Climax C19 – C22, respectively. The PC1 time series of the CR Cycles 19 – 24 has only one peak in its power spectrum at the period 10.95 years, which is the average solar-cycle period for SC19 – SC24. The PC2 time series of the same cycles has a clear peak at period 21.90 (Hale cycle) and another peak at one third of that period with no peak at the solar-cycle period. We show that the PC2 of the CR is essential in explaining the differences in the intensities of the even and odd cycles of the CR. The odd cycles have a positive phase in the first half and a negative phase in the second half of their PC2. This leads to a slow decrease in intensity at the beginning of the cycle and a flat minimum for the odd cycles. On the contrary, for the even cycles the phases are reversed, and this leads to faster decrease and more rapid recovery of the CR intensity of the cycle. As a consequence, the even cycles have a more peak-like structure. These results are confirmed with skewness–kurtosis (S–K) analysis. Furthermore, S–K shows that other even and odd cycles, except Cycle 21, are on the regression line with a correlation coefficient 0.85. The Cycles 21 of all eight stations are compactly located in the S–K coordinate system and have smaller skewnesses and higher kurtoses than the odd Cycles 23.

Ultradian Near 2-4-h Rhythms of Body Temperature in Laboratory Rodents Depend on External Environmental Heliogeophysical Factor Reflected by Neutron Monitor Count Rate.

The study collated oscillations of body temperature of С57BL/6 mice and Roborovski hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii) in the period range of 100-240 min and fluctuations of the secondary cosmic rays reflected by neutron count rate of a neutron monitor at the Earth's surface. Cross-correlation of body temperature and neutron count rate data revealed their strong association only for simultaneous measurements. Collation of the phase of neutron count rate fluctuations with maxima of body temperature oscillations revealed the coincidence of the phases of both processes. There was a temporary connection between the periods of body temperature elevation and neutron count rate rise. Thus, not only the spectral parameters of biological and physical processes, but also their phases coincided, which corroborates the hypothesis on stimulating effect of increasing neutron count rate on activity of the animals.

Cosmic-ray atmospheric cutoff energies of polar neutron monitors

The atmospheric cutoff, similarly to the geomagnetic cutoff, is the lower energy limit for cosmic ray particles that can reach a given location on the ground and be registered by a detector there, e.g., by a neutron monitor. It is caused by the decreasing intensity of a cosmic-ray cascade in the lower atmosphere. Although the geomagnetic cutoff is higher than atmospheric over the most of the Earth’s surface, the latter is dominant and therefore defines the neutron monitor count rate in the polar regions. The atmospheric cutoff decreases with the altitude, and this provides additional sensitivity of high-altitude polar neutron monitors to low-energy particles, mainly solar energetic protons during the so-called ground-level enhancement events.In this work, we quantitatively estimated the atmospheric cutoff energies for 21 polar neutron monitor stations in conditions without a significant solar energetic particle event. The cutoff value can be as low as about 300 MeV for protons (VOSTOK and DOMC/DOMB stations), which is notably lower than about 430 MeV at sea level. In addition to that, we estimated the worst case scenario of the strongest-ever observed ground-level enhancement event GLE#05, occurred on the 23rd of February, 1956, and showed that the atmospheric cutoff becomes as low as about 100 MeV. In other words, some neutron monitor stations can register particles with energies of even about 100 MeV during an exceptionally strong solar particle event. It is explained by the highly intensive and soft spectrum of the event in its early delayed phase.

Diurnal anisotropy of polar neutron monitors: Dome C looks poleward

Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) exhibit a small local anisotropy observed as diurnal variability of ground-based neutron monitor (NM) count rates. Since the asymptotic directions of various NMs are different, their ability to observe the GCR diurnal variation also varies. Here we show that the Dome C (DOMC) NM is hardly sensitive to the diurnal variation, with its amplitude being 0.03%, in contrast to other polar NMs whose sensitivity to the diurnal variability ranges from 0.16 to 0.4%. We argue that this is related to the fact that DOMC NM has a narrow asymptotic-direction cone looking nearly to the South pole (geographic latitude above 75°). This makes the DOMC NM a unique detector being the only existing NM accepting cosmic-ray particles originating from the off-equatorial region. This is important for detailed studies of cosmic-ray transport in the vicinity of Earth, specifically for anisotropic solar energetic particle events.

Метод автоматической коррекции данных нейтронного монитора на осадки в виде снега в реальном времени

We have carried out an experimental study of the influence of precipitation in the form of snow on measurements of the neutron flux intensity near Earth's surface. We have examined the state of the snow cover and its density, and found out that the density depends on the depth of the snow cover. Using the experimental results, we estimate the neutron absorption path in the snow. Changes in snow cover by 10–12 cm at a depth of 80 cm are shown to cause variations in the monitor count rate with an amplitude of 0.9 %. At the snow depth of 80 cm, the neutron monitor count rate decreases by about 8 %. The observed variations should be attributed to the meteorological effects of cosmic rays. The absorption coefficient of neutrons in the snow was also found from the correlation between the count rate of the neutron monitor and the amount of snow above the detector. We propose a real-time correction of the neutron monitor data for precipitation in the form of snow. For this purpose, we implement continuous monitoring of the amount of snow cover. The monitoring is provided by a snow meter made using a laser rangefinder module. We discuss the results obtained.

Method of automatic correction of neutron monitor data for precipitation in the form of snow in real time

We have carried out an experimental study of the influence of precipitation in the form of snow on measurements of the neutron flux intensity near Earth's surface. We have examined the state of the snow cover and its density, and found out that the density depends on the depth of the snow cover. Using the experimental results, we estimate the neutron absorption path in the snow. Changes in snow cover by 10–12 cm at a depth of 80 cm are shown to cause variations in the monitor count rate with an amplitude of 0.9 %. At the snow depth of 80 cm, the neutron monitor count rate decreases by about 8 %. The observed variations should be attributed to the meteorological effects of cosmic rays. The absorption coefficient of neutrons in the snow was also found from the correlation between the count rate of the neutron monitor and the amount of snow above the detector. We propose a real-time correction of the neutron monitor data for precipitation in the form of snow. For this purpose, we implement continuous monitoring of the amount of snow cover. The monitoring is provided by a snow meter made using a laser rangefinder module. We discuss the results obtained.

Measurement and simulation of the neutron propagation time distribution inside a neutron monitor

Using a setup for testing a prototype for a satellite-borne cosmic-ray ion detector, we have operated a stack of scintillator and silicon detectors on top of the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor (PSNM), an NM64 detector at 2560-m altitude at Doi Inthanon, Thailand (18.59∘N, 98.49∘E). Monte Carlo simulations have indicated that about 15% of the neutron counts by PSNM are due to interactions (mostly in the lead producer) of GeV-range protons among the atmospheric secondary particles from cosmic ray showers, which can be detected by the scintillator and silicon detectors. Those detectors can provide a timing trigger for measurement of the propagation time distribution of such neutrons as they scatter and propagate through the NM64, processes that are similar whether the interaction was initiated by an energetic proton (for 15% of the count rate) or neutron (for 80% of the count rate). This propagation time distribution underlies the time delay distribution between successive neutron counts, from which we can determine the leader fraction (inverse multiplicity), which has been used to monitor Galactic cosmic ray spectral variations over ∼1-40 GV. Here we have measured and characterized the propagation time distribution from both the experimental setup and Monte Carlo simulations of atmospheric secondary particle detection. We confirm a known propagation time distribution with a peak (at ≈70 μs) and tail over a few ms, dominated by neutron counts. We fit this distribution using an analytic model of neutron diffusion and absorption, for both experimental and Monte Carlo results. In addition we identify a group of prompt neutron monitor pulses that arrive within 20 μs of the charged-particle trigger, of which a substantial fraction can be attributed to charged-particle ionization in a proportional counter, according to both experimental and Monte Carlo results. Prompt pulses, either due to neutrons or charged-particle ionization, are associated with much higher mean multiplicity than typical pulses. These results validate and point the way to some improvements in Monte Carlo simulations and the resulting yield functions used to interpret the neutron monitor count rate and leader fraction.

Powerful Solar Proton Events of January 2005 and their impact on intensity of the stratospheric polar vortex

In January 2005, a series of powerful Solar Proton Events (SPEs) associated with an increase of flare activity on the Sun was observed. Increases of solar proton fluxes with energies 165-500 MeV allowing particles to reach stratospheric altitudes (∼30 km and below) were registered during the events starting on 15, 16 and 17 January. The strongest event, with particle energies exceeding 500 MeV, took place on 20 January and was accompanied by an increase of the neutron monitor counting rate (Ground Level Enhancement). The events under study resulted in a considerable increase of stratospheric ionization. In this work an impact of these events on intensity of the stratospheric polar vortex playing an important part in the mechanism of solar-atmospheric links is studied. A noticeable intensification of the vortex (increase of western wind velocity) was revealed at all the stratospheric levels in the course of the SPE series under study. It was shown that auroral activity (precipitations of auroral electrons generating bremsstrahlung X-rays) is also a possible factor of the vortex intensification. The obtained results provide evidence that ionization changes associated with powerful SPEs and auroral activity may influence the state of the stratospheric polar vortex on the day-to-day time scale. A possible cause of the vortex intensification seems to be temperature variations associated with changes of chemical composition of the polar stratosphere due to ionisation changes.

Short-Term Periodicities Observed in Neutron Monitor Counting Rates

Neutron monitor counting rates and solar wind velocity, interplanetary magnetic field, sunspot number and total solar irradiance measurements from 2013 to 2018 corresponding to the end of solar maximum and the decreasing phase of the Solar Cycle 24 have been used. The main objective is to check whether the periodicities observed in the cosmic rays are affected by the magnetic rigidity or the height at which the neutron monitors are placed. A Global Neutron Monitor (GNM) has been defined as representative of the neutron monitor global network. This GNM is constructed by averaging the counting rates of a set of selected neutron monitors. The selection process is based on the combination of three new data quality criteria, which are applied to neutron monitors in the Neutron Monitor Data Base giving a final pool of 22 selected neutron monitors. Morlet wavelet analysis is applied to the GNM and the selected solar activity parameters to find the common periodicities. Short-term periodicities of 13.5, 27, 48, 92, 132 and 298 days have been observed in cosmic ray intensity. A clear inverse relationship between rigidity and spectral power has been obtained for the 13.5-, 48-, 92-, 132-day periods. A not so clear but still observed direct relationship between the height of the neutron monitors and the spectral power for the 48-, 92-, 132-day periods has been also found. The periodicity of 92 days is the one which shows the highest dependence with rigidity cutoff and height. As far as we know, this is the first time that these dependencies are reported. We think that these observations could be explained by assuming some cosmic ray intensity energy dependence in such periodicities and a competitive effect between rigidity and height.

Observing the neutron component during thunderstorm activity at a mountain CR station

During three summer months in 2015, the Cosmic Ray (CR) station Irkutsk-3000, located at 3000 m above sea level, measured the CR neutron component intensity with the 6NM64 neutron monitor, as well as the atmospheric electric field strength and the level of electromagnetic interference during lightning discharges. It is shown that the level of electromagnetic interference, when registered during lightning discharges, depends considerably on the fixed level of signal discrimination. During observations, we observed no effects of thunderstorm discharges at the neutron monitor count rate at the CR station Irkutsk-3000.

Наблюдение нейтронной компоненты в периоды грозовой активности на высокогорной станции космических лучей

During three summer months in 2015, the Cosmic Ray (CR) station Irkutsk-3000, located at 3000 m above sea level, measured the CR neutron component intensity with the 6NM64 neutron monitor, as well as the atmospheric electric field strength and the level of electromagnetic interference during lightning discharges. It is shown that the level of electromagnetic interference, when registered during lightning discharges, depends considerably on the fixed level of signal discrimination. During observations, we observed no effects of thunderstorm discharges at the neutron monitor count rate at the CR station Irkutsk-3000.

Real Time and Automatic Analysis Program for WASAVIES: Warning System for Aviation Exposure to Solar Energetic Particles

AbstractA physics‐based warning system for aviation exposure to solar energetic particles, WASAVIES, is improved to be capable of real‐time and automatic analysis. In the improved system, the count rates of several neutron monitors at the ground level, as well as the proton fluxes measured by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), are continuously downloaded at intervals of 5 min and used for checking the occurrence of ground level enhancement (GLE). When a GLE event is detected, the system automatically determines the model parameters for characterizing the profiles of each GLE event and nowcasts and forecasts the radiation dose rates all over the world up to 24 hr after the flare onset. The performance of WASAVIES is examined by analyzing the four major GLE events of the 21st century. The accuracy of the nowcast data obtained by the model is well validated by the reproducibility of the current neutron monitor count rates and GOES proton fluxes as well as the flight‐dose measurements. On the other hand, the forecast data are reliable only when the evaluated parameters are stable, as expected in the model. A Web interface of WASAVIES is also developed and will be released in the near future through the public server of National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).

A Solar Cycle of Cosmic Ray Fluxes for 2006–2014: Comparison between PAMELA and Neutron Monitors

AbstractA comparison of cosmic proton spectra directly measured by the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light‐nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA) experiment during 2006–2014 with data of polar neutron monitors for the same time interval is presented. It is shown that the measured spectra are well described by the force‐field model for the modulation potential range 350–750 MV. The obtained modulation potential agrees with that calculated from the data of the world neutron monitor network for low solar activity between 2006 and 2012 but diverges during the maximum of solar cycle. The empirical relation between the modulation potential and the (inverted) neutron monitor count rate appears somewhat steeper than the modeled one, as confirmed also by data from fragmentary balloon‐borne measurements. A reason for the discrepancy is unclear and calls for additional study using independent data sets.

Distinct Pattern of Solar Modulation of Galactic Cosmic Rays above a High Geomagnetic Cutoff Rigidity

Abstract Solar modulation refers to Galactic cosmic-ray variations with the ∼11 yr sunspot cycle and ∼22 yr solar magnetic cycle and is relevant to the space radiation environment and effects on Earth’s atmosphere. Its complicated dependence on solar and heliospheric conditions is only roughly understood and has been empirically modeled in terms of a single modulation parameter. Most analyses of solar modulation use neutron monitor (NM) data from locations with relatively low geomagnetic cutoff rigidity, i.e., the threshold for cosmic rays to penetrate Earth’s magnetic field. The Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor at Doi Inthanon, Thailand, has the world’s highest cutoff rigidity (≈17 GV) where observations span a complete solar modulation cycle (since late 2007). The pattern of solar modulation at Doi Inthanon during 2011–2014 was qualitatively very different from that at a low geomagnetic cutoff and is not well described by the same modulation parameter. At other times, NM count rates from Doi Inthanon and McMurdo, Antarctica (cutoff ∼1 GV), were linearly correlated and confirm the observation from latitude surveys in the previous solar cycle that the slope of the correlation changes with solar magnetic polarity. Low solar magnetic tilt angles (<40° at negative polarity) were well correlated with variations at both NM stations, as predicted by drift models. At a higher tilt angle, the Doi Inthanon count rate is well correlated with the interplanetary magnetic field, which is consistent with an increase in diffusion at high rigidity short-circuiting the effects of drifts and the heliospheric current sheet.