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arXiv:1410.2895astro-ph.IM

Observing Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays with Smartphones

Daniel Whiteson, Michael Mulhearn, Chase Shimmin, Kyle Cranmer, Kyle Brodie, Dustin Burns

Abstract

We propose a novel approach for observing cosmic rays at ultra-high energy ($>10^{18}$~eV) by repurposing the existing network of smartphones as a ground detector array. Extensive air showers generated by cosmic rays produce muons and high-energy photons, which can be detected by the CMOS sensors of smartphone cameras. The small size and low efficiency of each sensor is compensated by the large number of active phones. We show that if user adoption targets are met, such a network will have significant observing power at the highest energies.

arXiv comments
version 2
Journal reference
DOI
doi:10.1016/j.astropartphys.2016.02.002
Subjects
astro-ph.IMInstrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics astro-ph.HEHigh Energy Astrophysical Phenomena hep-phHigh Energy Physics, Phenomenology physics.ins-detInstrumentation and Detectors

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Linked by 4 identifiable commenters in 5 comments across 5 threads, from Oct 2014 to Feb 2021. Found in 1 HN submission from May 2016 to May 2016. Open submission discussions.

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Discussed in comments5 threads

  1. Researchers explore how storms on Earth create extreme bursts of radiation 1 comment

    • >Crucial to their plans was making cheap, tabletop γ-ray detectors that they could install in dozens of sites. On a related note: there's a citizen science experiment that uses a volunteer-run array of old smartphones with taped over cameras to detect particle showers caused by…

      orbital-decayView on HNParent context

  2. For a brief period, the Windows kernel tried to deal with gamma rays 1 comment

    • There was also this one, a bit earlier, "Observing Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays with Smartphones". https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.2895 I (thought I) signed up to be informed of beta releases, but never heard anything. I just checked their website[0] and it mentions a beta app, but…

      privongView on HNParent context

  3. LHC Micro Models: Build Your Own Particle Detector 1 comment

    • > I do not think we are anywhere close to a DIY subatomic particle detector You've probably got one in your pocket already https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.2895

      dukwonView on HNParent context

  4. Cosmic rays found in smartphones 1 comment

    • The actual paper[0] title is somewhat precise: "Observing Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays with Smartphones" [0] http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.2895

      privongView on HNParent context

  5. Observing Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays with Smartphones [pdf] 1 comment

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