Multiple time scale studies of cosmic ray flux variation

• Grant number: 06/04402-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2006
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Jean Pierre Raulin
• Grantee: Rafael Rodrigues Souza de Mendonça
• Host Institution: Centro de Rádioastronomia e Astrofísica Mackenzie (CRAAM). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cosmic Rays are very high energy particles impacting constantly at the top, and sometimes penetrating deeply, the Earth atmosphere. The time modulation of cosmic ray fluxes is associated with: (I) the solar cycle; (II) the presence of propagating interplanetary magnetic disturbances; (III) solar flares; (IV) time variations of atmospheric electricity and some meteorological parameters like, pressure, temperature and rain precipitation. The modulation of cosmic ray flux can be observed using detectors like the CARPET, recently installed at El Leoncito Astronomical Complex (CASLEO), in San Juan, Argentina, through a scientific collaboration between the Centro de Rádio Astronomia e Astrofísica Mackenzie (CRAAM),the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI, Moscow, Russia), and CASLEO. This project aims to provide a routine methodology to correct, to calibrate and to represent graphically the data obtained with the CARPET. This will allow us to compare the cosmic ray flux modulation with the presence of rain precipitation, and to identy and study other causes for this time modulation, like atmospheric electricity and geomagnetic effects. (AU)