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Abstract: The Pierre Auger Observatory, sited in Malargüe, Argentina, is the largest observatory available for measuring ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECR). The Auger Collaboration has measured and analysed an unprecedented number of UHECRs. Along with making important scientific discoveries, for example, the demonstration that cosmic rays above 8 EeV are of extragalactic origin and the observation of a new feature in the energy spectrum at around 13 EeV, outreach work has been carried out across the 18 participating countries and online. This program ranges from talks to a varied audience, to the creation of a local Visitor Center, which attracts 8000 visitors annually, to initiating masterclasses. Permanent and temporary exhibitions have been prepared both in reality and virtually. Science fairs for elementary- and high-school students have been organised, together with activities associated with interesting phenomena such as eclipses. In addition, we participate in international events such as the International Cosmic Day, Frontiers from H2020, and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Part of the Collaboration website is aimed at the general public. Here the most recent articles published are summarised. Thus the Collaboration informs people about work in our field, which may seem remote from everyday life. Furthermore, the Auger Observatory has been a seed for scientific and technological activities in and around Malargüe. Different outreach ventures that already have been implemented and others which are foreseen will be described.
Keywords: Pierre Auger Observatory, indirect detection, ultra-high energy, cosmic rays, outreach, open data
Published in RUNG: 26.09.2023; Views: 28; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: The Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass for the International Space Station (ISS-CREAM) experiment successfully recorded the data for about 539 days from August 2017 to February 2019. In this talk, we report the measurement of the cosmic-ray proton energy spectrum from the ISS-CREAM experiment in the energy range of 2.5 TeV - 650 TeV. For the analysis, we used the silicon charge detector (SCD) placed at the top of the ISS-CREAM payload to identify the incoming cosmic-ray charge. The SCD is finely segmented to minimize charge misidentification due to backscatter effects. The four-layer SCD consists of 10,752 silicon pixels, each of which is 1.37×1.57×0.05 cm^3 in size. The calorimeter (CAL) consists of 20 layers of tungsten/scintillating fibers preceded by carbon targets. It provided cosmic-ray tracking, energy determination, and the high-energy trigger. The Top and Bottom Counting detectors (T/BCD) are above and below the CAL, respectively, and provided the low energy trigger. Each T/BCD is composed of an array of 20×20 photodiodes on plastic scintillators. The measured proton spectral index of 2.67±0.02 between 2.5 and 12.5 TeV is consistent with prior CREAM measurements. The spectrum softens above ∼10 TeV consistent with the bump-like structure as reported by CREAM-I+III, DAMPE, and NUCLEON, but ISS-CREAM extends measurements to higher energies than those prior measurement
Keywords: ISS-CREAM, silicon charge detector, calorimeter, direct detection, cosmic rays, protons, energy spectrum
Published in RUNG: 26.09.2023; Views: 34; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass for the International Space Station (ISS-CREAM) was designed to study high-energy cosmic rays up to PeV and recorded data from August 22nd, 2017 to February 12th, 2019 on the ISS. In this analysis, the Silicon Charge Detector (SCD), CALorimeter (CAL), and Top and Bottom Counting Detectors (TCD/BCD) are used. The SCD is composed of four layers and provides the measurement of cosmic-ray charges with a resolution of ∼0.2e. The CAL comprises 20 interleaved tungsten plates and scintillators, measures the incident cosmic-ray particles' energies, and provides a high energy trigger. The TCD/BCDs consist of photodiode arrays and plastic scintillators and provide a low-energy trigger. In this analysis, the SCD top layer is used for charge determination. Here, we present the heavy nuclei analysis using the ISS-CREAM instrument.
Keywords: ISS-CREAM, silicon charge detector, calorimeter, direct detection, heavy nuclei, cosmic rays, energy spectrum, composition
Published in RUNG: 26.09.2023; Views: 23; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: The observation of primary photons with energies around 10[sup]16 eV would be particularly interesting after the discovery of Galactic gamma-ray sources with spectra extending into the PeV range. Since photons are connected to the acceleration of charged particles, searches for photons enhance the multi-messenger understanding of cosmic-ray sources as well as of transient astrophysical phenomena, while offering wealthy connections to neutrino astronomy and dark matter. Additionally, diffuse photon fluxes are expected from cosmic-ray interactions with Galactic matter and background radiation fields. Previously, the energy domain between 1 PeV and 200 PeV was only explored from the Northern Hemisphere. The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest astroparticle experiment in operation and, thanks to its location, has a sizable exposure to the Southern sky, including the Galactic center region. In this contribution, we present the first search for photons from the Southern hemisphere between 50 and 200 PeV exploiting the Auger data acquired during ∼4 yr of operation. We describe the method to discriminate photons against the dominating hadronic background; it is based on the measurements of air showers taken with the low-energy extension of the Pierre Auger Observatory composed by 19 water-Cherenkov detectors spanning ∼ 2km[sup]2 and an Underground Muon Detector. The search for a diffuse flux of photons is presented and its results are interpreted according to theoretical model predictions. This study extends the range of Auger photon searches to almost four decades in energy.
Keywords: Pierre auger observatory, cosmic rays, photons, Water-Cherenkov detectors, Underground Muon detector
Published in RUNG: 26.09.2023; Views: 29; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: The Pierre Auger Observatory uses fluorescence telescopes in conjunction with ground level particle detectors to measure high-energy cosmic rays and reconstruct, with greater precision, their arrival direction, their energy and the depth of shower maximum. The depth of shower maximum is important to infer cosmic ray mass composition. The fluorescence detector is capable of directly measuring the longitudinal shower development, which is used to reconstruct the cosmic ray energy and the atmospheric depth of shower maximum. However, given the limited field of view of the fluorescence detector, the shower profile is not always fully contained within the detector observation volume. Therefore, considerations need to be taken in order to reconstruct some events. In this contribution we will describe the method that the Pierre Auger Collaboration uses to reconstruct the longitudinal profiles of showers and present the details of its performance, namely its resolution and systematic uncertainties.
Keywords: ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), Pierre Auger Observatory, extensive air showers, longitudinal shower profiles, shower maximum, fluorescence detectors
Published in RUNG: 20.09.2023; Views: 70; Downloads: 0
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