Research on Cosmic Rays and Their Impact on Human Activities

• Other Authors: Sparvoli, Roberta (Editor), Martucci, Matteo (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2022
• Subjects: Research & information: general; Mathematics & science; cosmic rays; Extensive Air Showers; particle detectors; Cosmic Ray Ensembles; ionosphere; ELF/VLF waves; energetic electron precipitations; storm-time feature; CSES; trapped particles; South Atlantic Anomaly; AE9/AP9/SPM models; radiation belts; Poisson data; time series; quasi-Gaussian filter; digital filtering; optimization; global minimization; annealing simulation algorithm; space weather; geomagnetic storms; LEO satellites; digital gamma-rays spectrometer; cosmic veto; active shield; muons; muon flux periodicity; atmospheric neutrons; radiation dose; passengers and flight crew; ultrathin calorimeter; direct measurements; energy reconstruction; PAMELA; shower development universality; cosmic ray physics; multi-messenger astrophysics; extensive air showers; n/a
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

The galactic cosmic-ray spectrum extends over 14 orders of magnitudes in energy and about 12 orders of magnitude in intensity, and it can be studied using two different methods: via the "direct detection" of the primary cosmic rays in space or at high altitude and via the "indirect detection" of secondary particles, namely the extensive air showers produced by a primary cosmic-ray particle impinging the atmosphere. In this Special Issue, both direct and indirect measurements are presented via from various experiments. Emphasis is placed on low-energy electrons and protons that are detected in flight as well as during geomagnetic storms. As for indirect detection, the muon flux determination and modulation at ground level are described in great detail. Some of the most interesting results are hereby presented, and a couple of new techniques in cosmic-ray detection are reported.