arXiv subjects

P. Sokolsky

Publications and source records attributed to P. Sokolsky.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2004

Observing the Ultrahigh Energy Universe with OWL Eyes

The goal of the Orbiting Wide-field Light-collectors (OWL) mission is to study the origin and physics of the highest energy particles known in nature, the ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). The OWL mission consists of telescopes with UV sensitive cameras on two satellites operating in tandem to view in stereo the development of the giant particle showers induced in the Earth's atmosphere by UHECRs. This paper discusses the characteristics of the OWL mission.

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arXiv2003

Effect of Clouds on Apertures of Space-based Air Fluorescence Detectors

Space-based ultra-high-energy cosmic ray detectors observe fluorescence light from extensive air showers produced by these particles in the troposphere. Clouds can scatter and absorb this light and produce systematic errors in energy determination and spectrum normalization. We study the possibility of using IR remote sensing data from MODIS and GOES satellites to delimit clear areas of the atmosphere. The efficiency for detecting ultra-high-energy cosmic rays whose showers do not intersect clouds is determined for real, night-time cloud scenes. We use the MODIS SST cloud mask product to define clear pixels for cloud scenes along the equator and use the OWL Monte Carlo to generate showers in the cloud scenes. We find the efficiency for cloud-free showers with closest approach of three pixels to a cloudy pixel is 6.5%, exclusive of other factors. We conclude that defining a totally cloud-free aperture reduces the sensitivity of space-based fluorescence detectors to unacceptably small levels.

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arXiv2000

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum and Composition from 10^{17} to 10^{18.3} eV Using a Hybrid Fluorescence Technique

We study the spectrum and average mass composition of cosmic rays with primary energies between 10^{17} eV and 10^{18} eV using a hybrid detector consisting of the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) prototype and the MIA muon array. Measurements have been made of the change in the depth of shower maximum as a function of energy. A complete Monte Carlo simulation of the detector response and comparisons with shower simulations leads to the conclusion that the cosmic ray intensity is changing f rom a heavier to a lighter composition in this energy range. The spectrum is consistent with earlier Fly's Eye measurements and supports the previously found steepening near 4 \times 10^{17} eV .

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arXiv1999

Energy Estimation of UHE Cosmic Rays using the Atmospheric Fluorescence Technique

We use the CORSIKA air shower simulation program to review the method for assigning energies to ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic rays viewed with the air fluorescence technique. This technique uses the atmosphere as a calorimeter, and we determine the corrections that must be made to the calorimetric energy to yield the primary cosmic ray energy.

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arXiv1999

A Multi-Component Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Composition Between 10^{17} eV and 10^{18} eV

The average mass composition of cosmic rays with primary energies between $10^{17}$eV and $10^{18}$eV has been studied using a hybrid detector consisting of the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) prototype and the MIA muon array. Measurements have been made of the change in the depth of shower maximum, $X_{max}$, and in the change in the muon density at a fixed core location, $ρ_μ(600m)$, as a function of energy. The composition has also been evaluated in terms of the combination of $X_{max}$ and $ρ_μ(600m)$. The results show that the composition is changing from a heavy to lighter mix as the energy increases.

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arXiv1998

Study of Broad Scale Anisotropy of Cosmic Ray Arrival Directions from $2\times 10^{17} eV$ to $10^{20} eV$ from Fly's Eye Data

We report results on the broad scale anisotropy of cosmic ray arrival directions in the energy rage from $2 \times 10^{17} eV$ to $10^{20} eV$. The data was taken by the Fly's Eye detector in both monocular and stereo modes of operation. We look for dependence on galactic latitude or supergalactic latitude by fitting the data to a Wdowczyk and Wolfendale plane enhancement function and a N-S gradient functional form. We report a small but statistically significant galactic plane enhancement in the energy range between $2\times 10^{17}eV$ and $3.2 \times 10^{18} eV$. The probability that this anisotropy is due to fluctuations of an isotropic distribution is less than 0.06%. The most significant galactic plane enhancement factor $f_{E} = 0.104 \pm 0.036$ is in the energy range $0.4-1.0 \times 10^{18} eV$. No statistically significant evidence for a N-S gradient is found. There is no sign of significant deviation from isotropic background when the data is analyzed in terms of supergalactic latitude distributions

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arXiv1997

The Detection of TeV Gamma Rays from Crab using the Telescope Array Prototype

The Telescope Array prototype detectors were installed at Akeno Observatory and at the Utah Fly's Eye site. Using these detectors, we have observed the Crab Nebula and AGN's since the end of 1995. The successful detections of TeV gamma rays from Crab Nebula and Mkn501 are reported.

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