INVESTIGADORES
MOLLERACH Maria Silvia
artículos
Título:
Atmospheric effects on extensive air showers observed with the Surface Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory
Autor/es:
THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION, INCLUYE S. MOLLERACH
Revista:
ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS
Editorial:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Referencias:
Año: 2009 vol. 32 p. 89 - 99
ISSN:
0927-6505
Resumen:
Atmospheric parameters, such as pressure (P), temperature (T) and density,
affect the development of extensive air showers initiated by energetic cosmic
rays. We have studied the impact of atmospheric variations on extensive air
showers by means of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The
rate of events shows a ~10% seasonal modulation and ~2% diurnal one. We find
that the observed behaviour is explained by a model including the effects
associated with the variations of pressure and density. The former affects the
longitudinal development of air showers while the latter influences the Moliere
radius and hence the lateral distribution of the shower particles. The model is
validated with full simulations of extensive air showers using atmospheric
profiles measured at the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory.