Detection of Cosmic Ray Airshowers by Bistatic Radar

了解最高能量的地外辐射或“宇宙射线”的来源和化学成分是当前天体物理学研究的一个主要方向。具有巨大能量的粒子经常从我们银河系内外撞击地球。要了解这些粒子的起源，需要对宇宙中最剧烈的过程建立准确的模型。然而，高能宇宙射线领域的进展目前受到最有趣的撞击地球的射线的稀有的限制。事实上，如果找不到新的方法来实现对地球表面大部分地区的远程覆盖，那么在当前一代天文台之外继续开展这一领域可能在财务上和实际上都是不可能的。有了这个奖项，这些科学家将研究一项新技术：通过双基地雷达技术对宇宙线引发的大范围空气骤雨进行遥感。他们利用了Mariachi项目在开发这项技术方面获得的经验，北半球最大的宇宙线观测站--犹他州望远镜阵列的选址所提供的机会，以及当地电视台为这项工作捐赠的模拟电视传输设备。这些研究的成功结果将是开发出一种新的探测技术，有可能对超高能宇宙线研究领域产生革命性的影响。对于更广泛的影响，该项目有可能将当地社区与目前在犹他州进行的天体物理研究联系起来。与宇宙线研究使用的雷达技术类似的雷达技术长期以来一直被用于微流星研究，这个小组已经主办了公共活动，在这些活动中，米勒德县宇宙线中心的参观者可以“听”流星雨并了解宇宙线项目。它还将与他们成功的ASPIRE计划联系起来。

Understanding the sources and chemical composition of the most energetic extraterrestrial radiation or "cosmic rays" is a major thrust of current astrophysics research. Particles with enormous energies regularly strike the Earth from within our galaxy and beyond. Understanding the origins of these particles will require accurate models of the most violent processes in the universe. However, progress in the field of high-energy cosmic rays is currently limited by the rarity of the most interesting rays striking Earth. Indeed, the continuation of the field beyond the current generation of observatories may become financially and practically impossible if new ways are not found to achieve remote coverage over large portions of the Earth's surface. With this award, these scientists will investigate a new technique: the remote sensing via bistatic radar technology of cosmic ray induced extensive air showers. They build on experience gained by the MARIACHI project in developing this technique, the opportunity afforded by the location of the northern hemisphere's largest cosmic ray observatory, the Telescope Array, in Utah, and the donation of analog television transmission equipment to this effort by a local television station. The successful outcome of these studies would be the development of a new detection technique with the potential of having a transformative effect on the field of ultra-high energy cosmic ray research.For Broader Impacts, this project has potential for connecting the local community to the astrophysics research currently being conducted in Utah. Radar techniques similar to those being used for cosmic ray studies have long been utilized in the study of micrometeors, and this group has already hosted public events in which visitors to the Millard County Cosmic Ray Center "listen" to meteor showers and learn about the cosmic ray project. It will also connect with their successful ASPIRE program.