Cosmic Rays Research Articles

Space weather monitoring with a system of ground-based cosmic ray detectors

For remote identification of the processes of powerful solar activity in the form of CME directed towards the Earth, a technique of flicker noise spectroscopy has been developed. The results of the analysis of geo-effective events ( G1) are presented according to the data of the international network of neutron monitors and the multidirectional muon hodoscope URAGAN, which indicate the appearance of predictors (with an outstrip of 1–2 days) of the CME approach to the Earthʼs orbit.

Cosmogenic 10Be‐ and 21Ne‐based model exposure ages of desert pavements in the Thar Desert, India

AbstractThe Thar Desert, India has desert pavements comprising angular‐subangular to well‐rounded gravels at marginally higher elevations than the surrounding terrain. Sedimentological and geomorphic analyses suggest that the pavements are lags of weathered Mesozoic and older bedrock. The presence of Palaeolithic artefacts on the pavement surfaces and occasionally within their matrix was used to infer their antiquity and landscape stability.This study presents the first surface exposure ages based on cosmic‐ray‐produced 10Be and 21Ne for pavements at four sites in the Thar Desert, viz. Bhojka, Hamira, Solanki and Jayal. The computation of model exposure ages assumed that (a) the gravels were derived from cemented conglomerates, uplifted by tectonics and thereafter disintegrated by climate, and (b) cosmogenic nuclide production in the gravels began when the conglomerates approached the surface and, continued during their disintegration, gravity sliding of individual gravels and storage, until the present. Assuming an average burial depth of 50 cm, 21Ne and 10Be data provide ages ranging from 1.30 to 2.92 Ma and 1.11 to 5.4 Ma, respectively, for the two nuclides.Published electron spin resonance ages of Thar calcretes suggest the presence of water and extreme seasonality since 1.54 Ma. Such conditions facilitated the mobilization and precipitation of carbonates. The pavement ages and the minimum age of the conglomerate at 2.51 Ma extend the time of such desertic conditions to > 2.51 Ma and suggest that the initiation of desertic conditions in the Thar was possibly linked to global aridity beginning around 3.6 Ma.Depending on assumptions, cosmic ray surface exposure (10Be) ages at Jayal range between 0.76 and 2.43 Ma. In the context of the Indian Palaeolithic, the presence of tools on the gravel surfaces and within dunes, suggests frequent occupation of this region from at least 0.76 Ma and, parallels Early to Middle Pleistocene Acheulian assemblages from Southern India.

Real-time monitoring of the behavior of the daily anisotropy vector of cosmic rays according to the data of neutron monitors at Yakutsk and Tiksi stations

Since 2022, the Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Aeronomy (SB RAS) for the first time has been continuously monitoring the forecast of terrestrial winds of space weather based on data from neutron monitors in Yakutsk and Tiksi. Preliminary studies during periods of geomagnetic disturbances in 2022. The peculiarity is that the results of this may provide an additional opportunity for their use for the purpose of forecasting large geomagnetic storms.

Advances in Space Astroparticle Physics: Frontier Technologies for Particle Measurements in Space

In the last decades, breakthrough advances in understanding the mechanisms of the Universe and fundamental physics have been achieved through the exploitation of data on cosmic rays and high-energy radiation gathered via orbiting experiments, in a synergic and complementary international effort that combines space-based instrument data with ground-based space observatories, accelerator, and collider experiments [...]

Noble Gases, Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes in Different Lithologies of Pesyanoe: Irradiation History and Impact Processes on the Aubrite Parent Body

Abstract We present the results of stepwise crushing and combustion analyses for noble gases, carbon and nitrogen in Pesyanoe aubrite pyroxene lithologies, composed of grey (Px-G) and light (Px-B) enstatites differing in the degree of impact processing and the number of inclusions. Our study identifies three main noble gas endmembers in Pesyanoe: a cosmogenic component, radiogenic 40Ar, and an endmember representing a mixture of solar wind and Q components in variable proportions. Based on petrographic and noble gas data we argue that these gases accumulated in the material during its regolith history and were later redistributed into gas inclusions/voids as the result of an impact event. During impact metamorphism, Px-G acquired its grey color and multiple gas inclusions were formed within it, more than in case of Px-B. Our study demonstrates for the first time: (1) The host phase of gases trapped during shock metamorphism are grains of rock-forming minerals, in particular Px-G, due to the formation of a large number of cracks in the direction of cleavage during brittle deformation, (2) The gas capture is associated not with the final stage of the formation of consolidated fragmental breccia, at which lithification of the fragments occurred, but with one of the intermediate impact events. High amounts of trapped and cosmogenic noble gases are released during the stepwise crushing—significantly higher than in case of any other studied aubrite. Some unusually high 36Ar/132Xe ratios (up to 54 780 versus 22 705 in the solar wind) were discovered during crushing of Px-G. Our preferable explanation of this phenomenon is a specific superposition of noble gas elemental fractionation processes related to the impact cratering of the Pesyanoe parent body. The carbon isotopic composition (δ13C = –21.2 ± 0.2‰, 1σ) is slightly heavier than that of the Bustee aubrite carbon. The combined use of different extraction methods made it possible to determine that the solar type and indigenous (δ15Nindig = –0.1 ± 3.2‰, 1σ) nitrogen components are located in the gas inclusions, whereas the extraneous nitrogen component (~+45‰) is chemically bound. The large cosmic ray exposure age variations (44 and 55 Ma in case of Px-G and Px-B, respectively) and the heterogeneous distribution of solar-type gases in Pesyanoe aubrite point to a diverse irradiation history of the material before breccia formation. Alternatively/additionally, cosmogenic gases (as well as solar and primordial) in Px-G may have became lost and/or partly redistributed into gas inclusions as a result of the impact event.

Radiation exposure of astronauts following an intense solar particle event: analysis and comparison of doses in male and female voxel phantoms.

According to NASA's plans, a human travel to the Moon is planned by the end of 2025 with the Artemis II mission, and humans should land on the Moon again in 2026. Exposure to space radiation is one of the main risks for the crew members; while for these short missions the doses from galactic cosmic rays would be relatively low, the possible occurrence of an intense solar particle event (SPE) represents a major concern, especially considering that in 2025 the Sun activity will be at its peak. Quantifying the amount and the effects of such exposure is therefore crucial, to identify shielding conditions that allow respecting the dose limits established by the various space agencies. By exploiting an interface between the BIANCA biophysical model and the FLUKA Monte Carlo radiation transport code, in this work we implemented a male and a female voxel phantom and we calculated absorbed doses and Gy-Eq doses in the various tissues/organs, as well as effective doses, following exposure to the August 1972 SPE, the most intense event of the modern era. The calculations were performed respect the organ dose limits for 30 d missions. A detailed comparison between male and female doses was then carried out, also considering that the Artemis II crew will include a woman. The results showed that female doses tend to be higher than male doses, especially with light shielding. This should be taken into account in mission design, also considering that, in a typical lunar mission, up to 15% of time may be spent in extra-vehicular activities, and thus with light shielding. More generally, this work outlines the importance of performing separate calculations for male and female astronauts when dealing with radiation doses and effects.

Boron isotopes in the PAMELA experiment

In this work, a new analysis of the isotopic composition of boron nuclei (B) in galactic cosmic rays (GCR) in the range of rigidities of 1–5 GV (nuclear energies 0.1–1.5 GeV/nucleon) was carried out using data from the PAMELA space experiment 2006–2014 on the rigidity of detected nuclei and their velocity (time-of-flight analysis and ionization losses in the instrument’s multilayer calorimeter). The new results of the PAMELA experiment expand the energy range of previous measurements, are consistent with the few existing data, and indicate deviations of the B isotope ratios from the GALPROP simulation data for the GCR, similar to the deviations for the Li and Be isotopes in the PAMELA data, which can be interpreted as evidence of observation against the background of the GCR the contribution of several local sources from explosions of nearby (hundreds of parsec) supernovae.

On the classical approach to describing the diffusion of cosmic rays in a turbulent medium

The inhomogeneous structure of the interstellar medium (ISM) is characterized by largescale fluctuations that significantly affect the cosmic ray propagation process. Accounting for this influence can not only lead to adjustments in the diffusion process parameters but even to pass from differential operators to integral ones. The most crucial characteristics of a turbulent medium is its power spectrum. Including appropriate approximations of this spectrum allows us to consider this problem in the framework of the traditional diffusion approach [1, 2]. This article explores the analytical representations of this spectrum applied in the cosmic ray transfer theory, including the four-parameter Uchaikin—Zolotarev approximation, derived from the generalized Ornstein—Zernike equation. Testing of the latter revealed that, with carefully chosen parameters, it accurately replicates numerical modeling results both in the inertial interval and beyond. Therefore, it can be effectively employed in addressing cosmic ray transfer issues within a turbulent interstellar medium.

Features of Forbush decreases according to satellite and ground based detectors

Forbush decreases are sudden drops of cosmic ray intensity recorded by ground based and satellite detectors. This effect is strongly connected with coronal mass ejections from the Sun. Those are the massive eruptions of plasma material from the Sun atmosphere into interplanetary space. Coronal mass ejections affect cosmic ray particles while moving through interplanetary space causing Forbush decrease. In this work, we have studied the behavior of temporal profiles of cosmic ray intensity during Forbush decreases using data on cosmic proton fluxes recorded by the AMS-02 spectrometer during 2011 to 2019.

Development of 10 m<sup>2</sup> hodoscope made of drift tubes for cosmic ray muon registration

The 10 m2 muon hodoscope made of drift tubes with length 3.7 m and diameter 52 mm is under development and construction in NRC “Kurchatov institute” — IHEP. Totally 768 drift tubes are grouped into 6 identical multilayers, each consisting of two tube layers with parallelly placed tubes. Tube orientation in adjacent multilayers is orthogonal, thus the hodoscope has six X and six Y tube layers. Detailed mechanical structure, on-chamber electronic and data acquisition systems are described. Expected technical characteristics and some test results are presented.

Study of cosmic rays with energies above 5 EeV using radio method

At the Yakutsk array in 1986 regular measurements of radio emission produced by relativistic air shower particles were started. After monitoring of background noise in the array area frequency of 30–35 MHz was chosen, since noise level is minimal in this frequency range. During this time, air showers with highest energies of 100 EeV were registered. By using hybrid measurements of charged particles, Cherenkov light and radio emission it was shown that signal amplitude proportional to air shower energy and shape of lateral distribution at sea level correlates with the depth of maximum development. Using the obtained characteristics, atomic weight of primary particles that generated air shower was estimated within QGSjetII-04 framework simulation.

Estimating soil moisture from environmental gamma radiation monitoring data

AbstractSoil moisture (SM) information is invaluable for a wide range of applications, including weather forecasting, hydrological and land surface modeling, and agricultural production. However, there is still a lack of sensing information that adequately represents root‐zone SM for longer periods and larger spatial scales. One option for root‐zone SM observation is terrestrial gamma radiation (TGR), as it is inversely related to SM. Hence, the near real‐time data of more than 5000 environmental gamma radiation (EGR) monitoring stations archived by the EUropean Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP) is a potential source to develop a root‐zone SM product for Europe without extra investments in SM sensors. This study aims to investigate to what extent the EURDEP data can be used for SM estimation. For this, two EGR monitoring stations were equipped with in situ SM sensors to measure reference SM. The terrestrial component of EGR was extracted after eliminating the contributions of rain washout and secondary cosmic radiation, and used to obtain a functional relationship with SM. We predicted the weekly volumetric SM with a root mean square error of 7%–9% from TGR measurements. Nevertheless, we believe that this technique, due to its greater penetration depth and long data legacy, can provide useful data complementary to satellite‐based remote sensing techniques to estimate root‐zone SM at the continental scale.

Formation of Paraldehyde (C6H12O3) in Interstellar Analog Ices of Acetaldehyde Exposed to Ionizing Radiation.

Acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) plays a crucial role in the synthesis of prebiotic molecules such as amino acids, sugars, and sugar-related compounds, and in the progress of chain reaction polymerization in deep space. Here, we report the first formation of the cyclic acetaldehyde trimer - paraldehyde (C6H12O3) - in low-temperature interstellar analog ices exposed to energetic irradiation as proxies of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and isotopic substitution experiments, paraldehyde was identified in the gas phase during the temperature-programmed desorption of the irradiated acetaldehyde ices based on the calculated adiabatic ionization energies and isomer-specific dissociative fragmentation patterns upon photoionization. As acetaldehyde is ubiquitous throughout the interstellar medium and has been tentatively identified in interstellar ices, paraldehyde could have formed in acetaldehyde-containing ices in a cold molecular cloud and is an excellent candidate for gas-phase observation in star-forming regions via radio telescopes. The identification of paraldehyde in the gas phase from the processed acetaldehyde ices advances our understanding of how complex organic molecules can be synthesized through polymerization reactions in extraterrestrial ices exposed to GCRs.

In-flight pixel degradation of the Sentinel 5 Precursor TROPOMI-SWIR HgCdTe detector

Abstract The TROPOMI-SWIR HgCdTe detector on the Sentinel-5 Precursor mission has been performing in-orbit measurements of molecular absorption in Earth's atmosphere since its launch in October 2017. In its polar orbit the detector is continuously exposed to potentially harmful energetic particles. Calibration measurements taken during the eclipse are used to inspect the performance of this detector. This paper explores the in-orbit degradation of the HgCdTe detector.
After five years, the detector is still performing within specifications, even though pixels are continuously hit by cosmic radiation. The bulk of the impacts have no lasting effects, and most of the damaged pixels (95%) appear to recover on the order of a few days to several months, attributed to a slow spontaneous recovery of defects in the HgCdTe detector material. This is observed at the operational temperature of 140 K. The distribution of the observed recovery times has a mean around nine days with a significant tail towards several months. Pixels that have degraded have a significant probability to degrade again. The location of faulty pixels follows a Poissonian distribution across the detector. No new clusters have appeared, revealing that impacts are dominated by relatively low energetic protons and electrons. Due to the observed spontaneous recovery of pixels, the fraction of pixels meeting all quality requirements in the nominal operations phase has always been over 98.7%. 
The observed performance of the TROPOMI-SWIR detector in-flight impacts selection criteria of HgCdTe detectors for future space instrumentation.

Spectral Background Calibration of Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) Spectrometer Onboard the Perseverance Rover Enables Identification of a Ubiquitous Martian Spectral Component.

The Perseverance rover landed at Jezero crater, Mars, on 18 February 2021, with a payload of scientific instruments to examine Mars' past habitability, look for signs of past life, and process samples for future return to Earth. The instrument payload includes the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) deep ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence imaging spectrometer designed to detect, characterize, and map the presence of organics and minerals on the Martian surface. Operation and engineering constraints sometimes result in the acquisition of spectra with features near the detection limit. It is therefore important to separate instrumental (background) spectral components and spectral components inherent to Martian surface materials. For SHERLOC, the instrumental background is assessed by collecting spectra in the stowed-arm configuration where the instrument is pointed at the Martian nighttime sky with no surface sample present in its optical path. These measurements reveal weak Raman and fluorescence background spectral signatures as well as charged-coupled device pixels prone to erroneous intensity spikes separate from cosmic rays. We quantitatively describe these features and provide a subtraction procedure to remove the spectral background from surface spectra. By identifying and accounting for the SHERLOC Raman background features within the median Raman spectra of Martian target scans, we find that the undefined silicate spectral feature interpreted to be either amorphous silicate or plagioclase feldspar is ubiquitously found in every Mars target Raman scan collected through Sol 751.

Contribution of the Cygnus Bubble to the Galactic Cosmic Ray Spectrum and Diffuse γ-Ray Emissions

Since the discovery of cosmic rays (CRs) over a century ago, their origin has remained a mystery and a key research question. Recently, the LHAASO experiment identified the first CR superacceleration source, the Cygnus bubble, which can accelerate CRs to energies exceeding 10 PeV. A pertinent question is how much the Cygnus bubble contributes to the CR spectrum observed on Earth. With the aim of answering that question, a 3D propagation analysis was conducted on CRs in this study. The Cygnus bubble was incorporated into our propagation model in order to determine its contributions to the observed spectra. First, we calculated the spectrum and spatial morphology of the Cygnus bubble to reproduce the observed LHAASO data. Subsequently, we calculated the diffuse γ-ray emissions produced by the CRs from the Cygnus bubble and the energy spectrum of the CR particles near Earth after propagation. Finally, we utilized a CR spatial-dependent propagation model to calculate the large-scale CR energy spectrum and the resulting diffuse γ-ray emissions. Our results indicate that (1) the Cygnus bubble contributes minimally to the CR spectrum observed on Earth, (2) the emissions produced by the CR particles from the Cygnus bubble dominate the diffuse γ-ray emissions in that region, and (3) the structural fluctuations of the diffuse γ-ray emissions observed by LHAASO are likely due to the local CR halo. We anticipate that LHAASO will identify more CR halo sources to validate our model.

Cosmic-Ray Feedback on Bistable Interstellar Medium Turbulence

While cosmic rays (E ≳ 1 GeV) are well coupled to a galaxy’s interstellar medium (ISM) at scales of L > 100 pc, adjusting stratification and driving outflows, their impact on small scales is less clear. Based on calculations of the cosmic-ray diffusion coefficient from observations of the grammage in the Milky Way, cosmic rays have little time to dynamically impact the ISM on those small scales. Using numerical simulations, we explore how more complex cosmic-ray transport could allow cosmic rays to couple to the ISM on small scales. We create a two-zone model of cosmic-ray transport, with the cosmic-ray diffusion coefficient set at the estimated Milky Way value in cold gas but smaller in warm gas. We compare this model to simulations with a constant diffusion coefficient. Quicker diffusion through cold gas allows more cold gas to form compared to a simulation with a constant, small diffusion coefficient. However, slower diffusion in warm gas allows cosmic rays to take energy from the turbulent cascade anisotropically. This cosmic-ray energization comes at the expense of turbulent energy which would otherwise be lost during radiative cooling. Finally, we show our two-zone model is capable of matching observational estimates of the grammage for some transport paths through the simulation.

Multiwavelength Galactic center gamma-ray observations explained by a unified cosmic-ray dynamics model

Context. High-energy (HE) and very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray observations from the Galactic center (GC) detected extended emission correlated with the morphology of the central molecular zone (CMZ). Emission in both bands is expected to be produced by hadronic interaction between cosmic rays (CRs) and ambient gas. Aims. We examine if our three previously proposed scenarios for the CR sources and dynamics, which are consistent with the VHE gamma-ray data (1–100 TeV), also match the HE gamma-ray observations (10–300 GeV). Additionally, we analyze the effect of the isotropic Galactic CR “sea” inside the CMZ. Methods. We generated synthetic gamma-ray maps considering a simplified isotropic diffusion, but more realistic dynamics with two diffusion zones (in and out of the CMZ) and polar advection, for mono-energetic particles of 3 TeV. Additionally, we considered two gas distributions for the CMZ (with and without an inner cavity), and CR populations injected from the clusters of young massive stars (the Arches Cluster, the Quintuplet Cluster, and the nuclear star cluster), plus the supernova Sgr A East. Results. Only the combination of more realistic CR dynamics, the CMZ with an inner cavity, CR injection from all proposed sources, and a CR sea similar to that observed in the Solar System reproduced the current HE and VHE gamma-ray detection from the CMZ and was consistent with the observed gamma-rays from Sagittarius A*. Conclusions. The HE and VHE gamma-rays observations of the GC can be reproduced by a unified model for the CRs.

Global Analysis of the Extended Decreases in Cosmic Rays Observed with Worldwide Networks of Neutron Monitors and Muon Detectors: Temporal Variation of the Rigidity Spectrum and Its Implication

This paper presents the global analysis of two extended decreases in the galactic cosmic-ray intensity observed by worldwide networks of ground-based detectors in 2012. This analysis is capable of separately deriving the cosmic-ray density (or omnidirectional intensity) and anisotropy, each as a function of time and rigidity. A simple diffusion model along the spiral field line between Earth and a cosmic-ray barrier indicates the long duration of these events, resulting from about 190° eastern extent of a barrier such as an interplanetary shock followed by the sheath region and/or the corotating interaction region (CIR). It is suggested that the coronal mass ejection merging with and compressing the preexisting CIR at its flank can produce such an extended barrier. The derived rigidity spectra of the density and anisotropy both vary in time during each event period. In particular we find that the temporal feature of the “phantom Forbush decrease (FD)” reported in an analyzed period is dependent on rigidity, and looks quite different at different rigidities. From these rigidity spectra of the density and anisotropy, we derive the rigidity spectrum of the average parallel mean free path of pitch angle scattering along the spiral field line and infer the power spectrum of the magnetic fluctuation and its temporal variation. The possible physical cause of the strong rigidity dependence of the phantom FD is also discussed. These results demonstrate the high-energy cosmic rays observed at Earth responding to remote space weather.

Dynamics Of Solar Wind And Cosmic Ray Interactions At The Edge Of Interstellar Space: Insights From Voyager 1 And IBEX Data Analysis

This research paper investigates the relationship between solar wind intensity and cosmic ray flux in the outer heliosphere, utilizing data from Voyager 1 and the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Voyager 1’s measurements beyond the heliopause, where the solar wind significantly weakens, show a marked increase in cosmic ray intensities, suggesting that solar wind acts as a modulating force. Meanwhile, IBEX's all-sky maps of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) offer complementary data, demonstrating how the solar wind interacts with the interstellar medium at the boundary of the solar system. By analyzing the inverse correlation between solar wind strength and cosmic ray penetration into the heliosphere, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic processes occurring at the solar system’s edge. The combined data from these missions not only enhance our understanding of space weather but also provide valuable insights into the broader interaction between the heliosphere and the interstellar medium. This research underscores the significance of continuous monitoring and multi-mission data integration for advancing our understanding of cosmic ray modulation and solar wind behavior in the outer reaches of the solar system.