2010
The Telescope Array Experiment: Measuring cosmic rays at the highest energies using the fluorescence technique
by
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Pacific/Honolulu
Rm. 217 (UHM - Watanabe Hall)
Rm. 217
UHM - Watanabe Hall
2505 Correa Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Description
Special Seminar
The origin and composition of the highest-energy cosmic rays is one of the great unanswered questions in physics. The Telescope Array (TA) experiment, the only "hybrid" ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) detector in the Northern Hemisphere, is online in Central Utah and has been taking data for two and half years. I will give a brief overview of high-energy cosmic-ray physics, emphasizing recent developments and controversies in the field. The monocular fluorescence technique for measuring the energy spectrum, composition and arrival directions of UHECRs will be described in detail, while highlighting the importance of a full-detector Monte Carlo simulation in the analysis. Preliminary results from the TA experiment will be shown and I will discuss the importance of the role that TA will play in helping to resolve the major questions in UHECR physics.
The origin and composition of the highest-energy cosmic rays is one of the great unanswered questions in physics. The Telescope Array (TA) experiment, the only "hybrid" ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) detector in the Northern Hemisphere, is online in Central Utah and has been taking data for two and half years. I will give a brief overview of high-energy cosmic-ray physics, emphasizing recent developments and controversies in the field. The monocular fluorescence technique for measuring the energy spectrum, composition and arrival directions of UHECRs will be described in detail, while highlighting the importance of a full-detector Monte Carlo simulation in the analysis. Preliminary results from the TA experiment will be shown and I will discuss the importance of the role that TA will play in helping to resolve the major questions in UHECR physics.