MINIMAL PROSPECTS FOR RADIO DETECTION OF EXTENSIVE AIR SHOWERS IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF JUPITER
- JBCA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL (United Kingdom)
One possible approach for detecting ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos is to search for radio emission from extensive air showers created when they interact in the atmosphere of Jupiter, effectively utilizing Jupiter as a particle detector. We investigate the potential of this approach. For searches with current or planned radio telescopes we find that the effective area for detection of cosmic rays is substantial (∼3 × 10{sup 7} km{sup 2}), but the acceptance angle is so small that the typical geometric aperture (∼10{sup 3} km{sup 2} sr) is less than that of existing terrestrial detectors, and cosmic rays also cannot be detected below an extremely high threshold energy (∼10{sup 23} eV). The geometric aperture for neutrinos is slightly larger, and greater sensitivity can be achieved with a radio detector on a Jupiter-orbiting satellite, but in neither case is this sufficient to constitute a practical detection technique. Exploitation of the large surface area of Jupiter for detecting ultra-high-energy particles remains a long-term prospect that will require a different technique, such as orbital fluorescence detection.
- OSTI ID:
- 22666086
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 825; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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