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arXiv · 1504.02593

Physics Goals and Status of JEM-EUSO and its Test Experiments

Andreas Haungs·JEM-EUSO Collaboration
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Abstract

The JEM-EUSO mission aims to explore the origin of the extreme energy cosmic rays (EECRs) through the observation of air-shower fluorescence light from space. The superwide-field telescope looks down from the International Space Station onto the night sky to detect UV photons (fluorescence and Cherenkov photons) emitted from air showers. Such a space detector offers the remarkable opportunity to observe a huge volume of atmosphere at once and will achieve an unprecedented statistics within a few years of operation. Several test experiments are currently in operation: e.g., one to observe the fluorescence background from the edge of the Atmosphere (EUSO-Balloon), or another to demonstrate on ground the capability of detecting air showers with a EUSO-type telescope (EUSO-TA). In this contribution a short review on the scientific objectives of the mission and an update of the instrument definition, performances and status, as well as status of the test experiments will be given.

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Andreas Haungs, JEM-EUSO Collaboration. 2015-04-10. Physics Goals and Status of JEM-EUSO and its Test Experiments. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/632/1/012092

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