HR: 09:45h
AN: SH31B-07    [Abstracts]
TI: Ground-Based Cosmic Ray Detectors for Solar-Terrestrial Research and Space Weather Forecasting
AU: * Bieber, J W
EM: john@bartol.udel.edu
AF: University of Delaware, Bartol Research Institute, Newark, DE 19716 United States
AU: Clem, J
EM: clem@bartol.udel.edu
AF: University of Delaware, Bartol Research Institute, Newark, DE 19716 United States
AU: Evenson, P
EM: penguin@bartol.udel.edu
AF: University of Delaware, Bartol Research Institute, Newark, DE 19716 United States
AU: Munakata, K
EM: kmuna00@shinshu-u.ac.jp
AF: Shinshu University, Physics Department Faculty of Science 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621 Japan
AU: Pyle, R
EM: pyle@bartol.udel.edu
AF: University of Delaware, Bartol Research Institute, Newark, DE 19716 United States
AB: Owing to the large detector mass required to detect high-energy cosmic rays, ground-based instruments remain the state-of-the-art method for studying these elusive particles. Neutron monitors and muon detectors record the byproducts of nuclear interactions of high-energy primary cosmic rays with Earth's atmosphere. At energies up to $\sim$100 GeV, primary Galactic cosmic rays experience significant modulation in response to the magnetic field of the solar wind. With suitable analysis, ground-based observations yield unique information on the large-scale magnetic structure of passing solar wind disturbances. Cosmic rays also carry precursory signatures of approaching disturbances (such as major CMEs) that are useful for space weather forecasting. We discuss the current status of neutron monitor and muon detector arrays, what can be gained by better coordination of existing arrays, and what might be gained through expansion of the existing network. Supported by NSF grants ATM-0000315 and ATM-0207196.
UR: http://www.bartol.udel.edu/$\sim$NeutronM/
DE: 7894 Instruments and techniques
DE: 2104 Cosmic rays
DE: 2111 Ejecta, driver gases, and magnetic clouds
DE: 2114 Energetic particles, heliospheric (7514)
SC: SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics [SH]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting