Development of a Polar Network of Cosmic Ray Observatories

这项核磁共振建议是在高纬度地区建立一个宇宙射线探测器（中子监测仪）网络。探测器被放置在极地的战略位置，以获取宇宙射线到达角度的信息。有了这样一个阵列，整个地球就像一个定向宇宙射线探测器。地球磁场使粒子偏转的事实被用来确定高能宇宙射线到达的方向。与在太空中飞行的宇宙射线探测器相比，这艘新的“地球飞船”将享受远远超过现有航天器的统计能力。宇宙飞船地球网络是一个国际项目，有美国、俄罗斯和澳大利亚的参与。该网络由9个高纬度站组成，经度大致相等（1个在南极洲，由澳大利亚人拥有和运营，4个在俄罗斯，4个在加拿大北部，这些都在本提案的范围内）。新的网络将用于研究、研究生教育和博士后培训。对这些数据的分析将用于了解太阳高能粒子的加速和输运，探测太阳风中的磁湍流结构，并阐明瞬态宇宙射线变化的机制。该网络具有很高的社会影响，因为PI将检查宇宙射线在空间天气背景下的作用，并评估网络在预测空间天气方面的作用。可能会有长达10小时的潜在破坏性磁暴预警。（目前只能提前一小时发出预警）。

This MRI proposal is to build a network of cosmic ray detectors (neutron monitors) at high latitudes. The detectors are placed at strategic Polar locations to obtain information about the cosmic rays' angle of arrival. With such an array, the entire Earth acts as a directional cosmic ray detector. The fact that the Earth's magnetic field deflects the particles is used to determine the direction of arrival of energetic cosmic rays. Compared with cosmic ray detectors flown in space, this new "Spaceship Earth" will enjoy counting statistics far exceeding current spacecraft capabilities. The Spaceship Earth network is an international project, with participation from US, Russia and Australia. The network consists of 9 high-latitude stations, roughly equidistant in longitude (1 in Antarctica owned and operated by the Australians, 4 in Russia, and 4 in Northern Canada which are covered by this proposal). The new network will be used for research, graduate education, and postdoctoral training. The data will be analyzed to understand the acceleration and transport of solar energetic particles, to probe the structure of magnetic turbulence in the solar wind, and to elucidate the mechanism of transient cosmic ray variations. The network has a high societal impact because the PI's will examine the role of cosmic rays in the context of space weather, and evaluate the network role to forecast space weather. An advance warning of as much as 10 hours of potentially damaging magnetic storms might be possible. (Presently, only one hour advance warning is possible).