The Auger Observatory: Status and Potential for Neutrino Detection

The southern Auger observatory which is being constructed in Malarguee, Mendoza, Argentina, is the largest cosmic ray detector in operation. Its concept and design, progress in its construction and its excellent performance are summarized paying special attention to inclined showers. Data are being collected at an ever increasing rate and some representative examples of reconstructed events are shown. The connection between Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays and neutrinos is discussed. Progress in understanding the differences between inclined showers produced by protons and nuclei and those expected from neutrinos and calculations of the neutrino acceptance are reviewed