The latitude distribution of cosmic rays at sea level during 1976

During the 1976 period of maximum intensity of cosmic rays a latitude survey was carried out at sea level with two neutron monitors and a neutron moderated detector on board the S.A. Huguenot of Safmarine. The survey lasted for eleven months from December 1975 to November 1976 and a cutoff rigidity range from 1,8 GV (New York) to 17 GV (Singapore) was covered. The second neutron monitor was designed to be more effective and less sensitive than the standard 1NM64 for the roll and pitch of a ship. A theoretical simulation model was used to compare the characteristics of the two neutron monitors and was finally compared with experimental results. The data recorded during visits to various harbours at specific cutoff rigidities were used to determine a attenuation coefficient for both monitors. The data were corrected for variations in the primary cosmic ray spectrum by using a modulations function characteristic of a period of normal modulation. The data were normalised to the relative counting rate of four reference monitor stations during October 1976. A polynomial regression analysis was used to find the best fit to the experimental data for both monitors. The differential response functions were there-upon calculated and compared. Finally the data were corrected for temperature dependence because of the constribution of muons to the counting rate of a neutron monitor. The long term correction coefficients which were used proved to be satisfactory. The difference between the temperature corrected and uncorrected response functions turned out to be less than 0,5% at 1 GV. A comparison of the 1965 and 1976 latitude distributions showed that the 1976 cosmic ray spectrum was softer compared to the previous maximum in 1965 and about the same as in 1954