Description of atmospheric conditions at the Pierre Auger Observatory using the Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS).

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION.; S. J. SCIUTTO

ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2012 vol. 35 p. 591 - 607

0927-6505

Atmospheric conditions at the site of a cosmic ray observatory must be known for reconstructingobserved extensive air showers. The Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) is a global at-mospheric model predicated on meteorological measurements and numerical weather predictions.GDAS provides altitude-dependent profiles of the main state variables of the atmosphere liketemperature, pressure, and humidity. The original data and their application to the air showerreconstruction of the Pierre Auger Observatory are described. By comparisons with radiosondeand weather station measurements obtained on-site in Malarg¨ue and averaged monthly models,the utility of the GDAS data is shown.