Published 2016 | Version v1
Journal article

Ultra-high energy cosmic rays. Results and status of the Pierre Auger Observatory

  • 1. III. Physikalisches Institut A, RWTH Aachen University (Germany)

Description

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the world's largest experiment detecting extensive air showers initiated by cosmic rays at the highest energies. An area of 3000 km2 is instrumented by 1660 water Cherenkov detector stations, and 27 fluorescence telescopes overlook the atmosphere above the surface detector array. A hybrid detection principle is achieved by utilizing information of both detectors. A major upgrade of the experiment (AugerPrime) has been decided adding a third detector type, scintillator detector stations located on the water Cherenkov tanks. Thereby, the composition sensitivity of the Pierre Auger Observatory is extended by an improved determination of the muonic shower component. Additionally, underground muon detectors (AMIGA) are deployed. The experiment has been further extended by antennas measuring the emission of radio signals from air showers (AERA). An overview about recent results and the current status of the experiment are given in this talk. Highlights are updated results, e.g. on the energy spectrum, chemical composition or proton-air cross section.

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft
Journal Issue
Hamburg 2016 issue
Series
Also available as printed version: Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft v. 51(2)
Journal Page Range
[1 p.]
ISSN
0420-0195
CODEN
VDPEAZ

Conference

Title
DPG-Fruehjahrstagung 2016 (Spring meeting) of the section matter and cosmos (SMuK) together with the divisions gravity and relativity, radiation and medical physics, particle physics, theoretical and mathematical physics, and the working group philosophy of physics
Original Conference Title
DPG-Fruehjahrstagung 2016 der Sektion Materie und Kosmos (SMuK) gemeinsam mit den Fachverbaenden Gravitation und Relativitaetstheorie, Strahlen- und Medizinphysik, Teilchenphysik, Theoretische und Mathematische Grundlagen der Physik sowie der Arbeitsgruppe Philosophie der Physik
Dates
29 Feb - 4 Mar 2016
Place
Hamburg (Germany)

Optional Information

Notes
Session: T 40.1 Mo 16:45; No further information available
Collaborations
Pierre-Auger-Collaboration