Čerenkov radiation in the atmosphere

The bursts of large numbers of electrons produced in the atmosphere by cosmic-ray air showers, give rise to Čerenkov radiation in the air. The showers are therefore accompanied by light pulses of short duration; these may be detected quite easily with simple apparatus on a clear dark night. This phenomenon, which was discovered by the author and his colleagues in England in 1953, has been studied in more detail by two groups, one in the U.S.S.R. and one in Australia.In this article, the writer reviews the theoretical and experimental work that has been done up to the present time, and discusses the potentialities and limitations of the technique as a new tool for cosmic-ray research. The paper concludes with a few remarks on the future possibilities in this field, and the likely technical developments.     

Čerenkov radiation in anisotropic plasmas

Following our series of works on anisotropic radiation, we analyze the erenkov condition in magnetized plasmas in this paper. We have discovered that the usual erenkov condition cos =1/n isnot satisfied at a far field point in anisotropic media, implying that when a charge is moving in a magnetized plasma, a linear shock wave front does not form. Thus we can calculate the power received at a far field per unit time in such a medium — this quantity could not be evaluated according to previous theory. Numerical examples are presented to show various relevant characteristics of erenkov radiation in model plasmas.     

Dayglow of the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere in the 1.25 μ region

Measurements are given of the brightness of the Earth's atmosphere in the near infra-red region of the spectrum at altitudes up to 30 km. A considerable increase is found in the brightness at 1.25 μ when compared with the adjacent parts of the spectrum. The intensity of the observed glow does not depend on the altitude and azimuth. Ideas are put forward on the possible causes of the glow.     

Measurement of sky clarity using MIR radiometers as an adjunct to atmospheric Čerenkov radiation measurements

A technique for detecting the presence of cloud in the field of view of an atmospheric erenkov telescope using a mid infra red radiometer is described. Models for the radiative emission from clear and cloudy skies are tested and found to represent the measurements.     

Aerosol in the upper layer of earth’s atmosphere

The upper atmospheric layer of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and earth contains an aerosol layer. The meteorites, rings, and removal of small planetary particles may be responsible for its appearance. The observations from 1979–1992 have shown that the optical aerosol thickness over the earth’s polar regions varies from τ ≈ 0.0002 to 0.1 to λ = 1 μm. The highest τ value was in 1984 and 1992 and was preceded by intense activity of the El Chichon (1982) and Pinatubo (1991) volcanoes. We have shown that increase in τ of the stratospheric aerosol may lead to decrease in ozone layer registered in the 1970s. The nature of the stratospheric aerosol (a real part of the refraction index), effective size particles r, and latitudinal variation τ remain unknown. The analysis of phase dependence of the degree of polarization is effective among the distal methods of determination of n _r and r. The observation value of intensity and degree of polarization in the visible light are caused by the optical surface properties and optical atmospheric thickness, whose values varied with latitude, longitude, and in time. Thus, it is impossible to correctly distinguish the contribution of the stratospheric aerosol. In UV-rays (λ < 300 nm), the ozone layer stops the influence of the surface and earth’s atmosphere up to height of 20–25 km. In this spectrum area, the negative factors are emission of various depolarizating gases, horizontal heterogeneity of the effective optical height of the ozone layer, and oriented particles indicated by variation of the polarization plane.     

Observation of OI 1300 Å radiation in the Martian atmosphere

Measurements from the 1225 to 1340 Å region by the ultraviolet detectors on Mars-3 are presented. Model calculations of the intensity of the OI triplet lines at 1304 Å are compared with the measurements made on December 27, 1971, and February 17, 1972. Agreement is found between experimental data and a model in which the neutral oxygen density at 100 km is 2–8 × 10⁹ cm^?3.     

Low energy γ-ray events in imaging Čerenkov telescope arrays

One of the major goals in VHE--ray astronomy is to open the energy range below 100 GeV with earthbound detectors. This paper demonstrates a new method for analyzing erenkov light of a shower in a erenkov telescope array. This method is successful for showers in this low energy regime where previous techniques (e.g. alpha analysis) are not applicable. A Monte Carlo simulation is applied to a system of 19 Whipple type [3, Cawley 1990] Imaging Atmospheric erenkov telescopes (IAT), each built as a 10 m diameter reflector and equipped with a 109 photomultiplier tube camera. The energy threshold for a single detector of this type is given [5, Kerrick et al. 1995] as 250 GeV. Analysis of simulated coincident events of the system for those events not having enough light to apply a standard imaging analysis [4, Hillas 1985], leads to a considerably lower threshold of 85 GeV. With a new analysis method of these events it is shown that it should be possible to distinguish between -ray induced and proton induced showers. The improvement of sensitivity (Q = figure of merit) of this analysis method is found to be Q=2.9.     

Hydroxyl emission of the upper atmosphere—III: Diurnal variations

The diurnal variations of the intensity, vibrational and rotational temperatures are obtained from spectrometric measurements at Zvenigorod.     

Infrared planetary detection and cosmic ray čerenkov radiation

Infrared emission from a planet at a very small angular separation from its star offers the possibility for detection by interferometry from space. However it has been suggested that attention should be paid to interference produced by the infrared radiation that would be generated within the space package by cosmic ray protons. Quantitative examination reveals that both the primary erenkov flux and the secondary infrared emission from erenkov heating are negligible.     

Gamma Ray and Hadron generated Čerenkov Photon Spectra at Various Observation Altitudes

We study the propagation of erenkov photons generated by Very HighEnergy -rays and hadrons in the atmosphere. The photon productionheight distributions are estimated from semi-empirical methods andcompared with those derived by standard simulation techniques. Incidentspectra at various observation altitudes are then derived after applyingwavelength dependent corrections due to photon attenuation in theatmosphere during the propagation of photons from the height of productionto the height of observation. These are generated both for -ray and hadron primaries of various energies. The derivedproduction height distributions agree very well with those generated bythe simulation package `CORSIKA' at all energies and for both -ray and proton primaries. The incident photon spectra are found to beboth altitude and primary energy dependent. The peak ofthe incident spectrum shifts towards the shorter wavelength withincreasing altitude of observation for a given primary. Also the peak ofthe photon spectrum shifts towards the shorter wavelength withincreasing energy of the primary at a given altitude. The fraction of the UVcomponent in the incident erenkov spectrum is estimated both for-ray and hadronic primaries at various observation altitudes andenergies. Hadron generated erenkov spectra are marginally richer in UVlight and the difference increases slightly at higher altitudes. The fraction of the UV to the visible light in the erenkov spectrum could be a usefulparameter to separate -rays from cosmic ray background only if onecan measure this fraction very accurately.     

Influence of the hot oxygen corona on the satellite drag in the Earth’s upper atmosphere

Calculation results on the possible influence of the hot oxygen fraction on the satellite drag in the Earth’s upper atmosphere on the basis of the previously developed theoretical model of the hot oxygen geocorona are presented. Calculations have shown that for satellites with orbits above 500 km, the contribution from the corona is extremely important. Even for the energy flux Q ₀ = 1 erg cm⁻² s⁻¹, the contribution of the hot oxygen can reach tens of percent; and considering that real energy fluxes are usually higher, one can suggest that for extreme solar events, the contribution of hot oxygen to the atmospheric drag of the satellite will be dominant. For lower altitudes, the contribution of hot oxygen is, to a considerable degree, defined by the solar activity level. The calculations imply that for the daytime polar atmosphere, the change of the solar activity level from F _10.7 ∼ 200 to F _10.7 ∼ 70 leads to an increase in the ratio of the hot oxygen partial pressure to the thermal oxygen partial pressure by a factor of almost 30, from 0.85 to 25%. The transition from daytime conditions to nighttime conditions almost does not change the contribution from suprathermal particles. The decrease of the characteristic energy of precipitating particles, i.e., for the case of charged particles with a softer energy spectrum, leads to a noticeable increase of the contribution of the suprathermal fraction, by a factor of 1.5–2. It has been ascertained that electrons make the main contribution to the formation of the suprathermal fraction; and with the increase of the energy of precipitating electrons, the contribution of hot oxygen to the satellite drag also increases proportionally. Thus, for a typical burst, the contribution of the suprathermal fraction is 30% even at relatively high solar activity F _10.7 = 135.     

Comment on “superrotation of the upper atmosphere by global deposition of meteoroids”

The hypothesis that superrotation of the Earth's atmosphere results from meteoroid influx is untenable. Meteor observations are not of sufficient precision to substantiate direct rotation when the meteoroid influx is treated macroscopically. Detailed dynamic studies argue against any possible direct rotation.     

Possible influence of cosmic ray Čerenkov photons on infrared interferometric search for non-solar planets

It is shown that the pervasive cosmic-ray protons in the vicinity of the Earth would produce infrared photons by erenkov radiation in the material walls, and mirrors, of an orbiting infrared interferometer designed to search for non-solar planets. The flux of such photons is at least comparable to the zodiacal infrared background radiation. It is found that for the worst possible conditions a minimum time of about six weeks is indicated for planetary detection using a fourth-harmonic noise analysis. It is suggested that direct laboratory measurement of a simulated cosmic-ray-induced erenkov flux be undertaken to settle the question of the background contaminant produced by this effect.     

Estimation of secular density variations in the upper atmosphere from 1964–2007 satellite drag data

Orbital parameters of several artificial satellites of the Earth were analyzed for 1964–2007 and secular variations of the atmospheric density were estimated for the last 30–40 years. The analysis was based on the information about orbital parameters of 17 satellites and high-precision numerical integrations of the equations of motion with allowance for basic perturbing factors and spatiotemporal density variations, calculated from measured solar activity indices using the NRLMSISE-00 atmosphere model. The results demonstrate the presence of long-term variations in the atmospheric density not presented in modern atmosphere models. During solar-activity cycle 21, the atmospheric density became 0.4 to 19% higher (depending on height) than in cycle 20. It decreased by 1.0 to 11% (depending on height) in cycle 22 as compared to cycle 21. Both decreases and increases were observed in the atmospheric density during cycle 23, but with much smaller gradients. The results cannot be explained only by the growing concentration of greenhouse gases. Possible causes of the density variations and possible ways to take them into account in modern empirical and semiempirical atmospheric models are discussed.     

The density of the upper martian atmosphere measured by Lyman-α absorption with Mars Express SPICAM

Absorption of interplanetary Lyman-α emission by Mars’ nightside lower thermosphere was observed by Mars Express Spectrometer for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Mars (SPICAM), and is analyzed to derive the CO₂ density at 110 km during a martian year. The observed density seasonal variability is consistent with recent observations obtained by stellar occultations, proving that this method, though not as accurate as stellar occultations could be used complementary to them to characterize large variations of thermospheric density on Mars and provide a better spatial coverage by Lyman-α imagery.     

Artificial electron clouds—I: Summary report on the creation of artificial electron clouds in the upper atmosphere

A systematic study has been initiated for the purpose of better understanding the problems associated with the creation of artificial electron clouds in the upper atmosphere. A series of eight rocket experiments has been performed whereby artificial electron clouds were produced between 70 km and 130 km. The ground-based detection networks that were employed are discussed, and included is a method of correlating both optical and radio-radar data. This affords a new dimension for propagation and upper atmospheric studies. This paper, the first of a series, is devoted to summarizing the overall concepts, methods and techniques, and operating procedures employed in this study. It includes tabulated summaries of the various optical and radio-radar detection data in addition to some scientific uses of artificial electron clouds. The subsequent papers of this series offer detailed discussion and conclusions pertaining to much of the data outlined here.     

Observations of luminous clouds produced in the upper atmosphere by exploding grenades—I. Atomic emissions

A grenade, charged with aluminium powder, barium nitrate and potassium perchlorate exploding at about 100 km altitude in the sunlit atmosphere at twilight, produced a glowing cloud which emitted the λ5535 line of BaI and the λ4554 line of BaII through photo-exdtation. The ionized barium is thought to have been produced mainly by the explosion. At an altitude of 133 km a grenade charged with aluminium powder and potassium nitrate produced a cloud which, when sunlit, emitted the λ3944 and λ3961 lines of AlI and the infra-red and violet potassium doublets, also, it is considered, through photoexcitation.A summary of the results obtained from several flights with Skylark rockets releasing grenades at night and at twilight is given. Molecular emissions and continua are discussed in following papers.     

Mass density of the upper atmosphere derived from Starlette’s Precise Orbit Determination with Satellite Laser Ranging

The atmospheric mass density of the upper atmosphere from the spherical Starlette satellite’s Precise Orbit Determination is first derived with Satellite Laser Ranging measurements at 815 to 1115 km during strong solar and geomagnetic activities. Starlette’s orbit is determined using the improved orbit determination techniques combining optimum parameters with a precise empirical drag application to a gravity field. MSIS-86 and NRLMSISE-00 atmospheric density models are compared with the Starlette drag-derived atmospheric density of the upper atmosphere. It is found that the variation in the Starlette’s drag coefficient above 800 km corresponds well with the level of geomagnetic activity. This represents that the satellite orbit is mainly perturbed by the Joule heating from geomagnetic activity at the upper atmosphere. This result concludes that MSIS empirical models strongly underestimate the mass density of the upper atmosphere as compared to the Starlette drag-derived atmospheric density during the geomagnetic storms. We suggest that the atmospheric density models should be analyzed with higher altitude acceleration data for a better understanding of long-term solar and geomagnetic effects.