Sensitivity of a Single Water Cerenkov Detector to Monitor Forbush Decreases

Journal Article · Thu Jul 29 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3479302· OSTI ID:21415296

Bahena, A ^[1]; Villasenor, L ^[2]

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1. Facultad de Ciencias Fisico-Matematicas, UMSNH, Morelia (Mexico)
2. Institute of Physics and Mathematicas, UMSNH, Morelia (Mexico)

We describe a simple experimental setup to measure the rate of arrival of muons at the surface of the Earth by using a single water Cerenkov detector and home-made electronics. We find a strong anti-correlation between the muon rates averaged over one-hour periods and the atmospheric pressure, with a measured correlation coefficient of -0.67% per hPa. After applying this correction we achieve sufficient sensitivity to observe long term (hours) variations in the averaged muon rates which are greater than 2%. Forbush decreases as big as 4% have been observed with muon detectors located at similar magnetic rigidities compared to Morelia, therefore our experimental setup will detect Forbush decreases as soon as the Sun enters into a more active phase.

• OSTI ID: 21415296
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1259; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CHERENKOV COUNTERS
CORRECTIONS
CORRELATIONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FORBUSH DECREASE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC RIGIDITY
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MUONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOMULTIPLIERS
PHOTOTUBES
RADIATION DETECTORS
SENSITIVITY
STARS
SUN
SURFACES
WATER