Atmospheric effects in astroparticle physics experiments and the challenge of ever greater precision in measurements

Astroparticle physics and cosmology allow us to scan the universe through multiple messengers. It is the combination of these probes that improves our understanding of the universe, both in its composition and its dynamics. Unlike other areas in science, research in astroparticle physics has a real originality in detection techniques, in infrastructure locations, and in the observed physical phenomenon that is not created directly by humans. It is these features that make the minimisation of statistical and systematic errors a perpetual challenge. In all these projects, the environment is turned into a detector medium or a target. The atmosphere is probably the environment component the most common in astroparticle physics and requires a continuous monitoring of its properties to minimise as much as possible the systematic uncertainties associated. This paper introduces the different atmospheric effects to take into account in astroparticle physics measurements and provides a non-exhaustive list of techniques and instruments to monitor the different elements composing the atmosphere. A discussion on the close link between astroparticle physics and Earth sciences ends this paper.     

Measurement of the atmospheric muon depth intensity relation with the NEMO Phase-2 tower

The results of the analysis of the data collected with the NEMO Phase-2 tower, deployed at 3500 m depth about 80 km off-shore Capo Passero (Italy), are presented. Čerenkov photons detected with the photomultipliers tubes were used to reconstruct the tracks of atmospheric muons. Their zenith-angle distribution was measured and the results compared with Monte Carlo simulations. An evaluation of the systematic effects due to uncertainties on environmental and detector parameters is also included. The associated depth intensity relation was evaluated and compared with previous measurements and theoretical predictions. With the present analysis, the muon depth intensity relation has been measured up to 13 km of water equivalent.     

1970-2000年中国近地层大气热力增强的气候效应

中国区域1970-2000年622个气象观测台站资料EOF分析显示,气温的上升导致中国大部分地区饱和水汽压差呈上升趋势,大气热力强度增加,风动力明显减弱.内蒙中部以南至长江中游以北区域是大气热力增强最为敏感的地区.气温升高导致这一区域大气"干燥力"增强,区域蒸发潜力下降速度低于其他地区,气温的上升对低云覆盖产生一定程度...     

石生苔藓组织氮含量和氮同位素指示贵阳地区大气氮沉降与迁移的研究

利用苔藓组织氮含量和氮稳定同位素研究了贵阳市大气氮沉降的来源、沉降和迁移。结果表明,贵阳地区苔藓氮含量的变化特征很好地指示了区内大气氮沉降的空间变化。贵阳市区苔藓氮同位素与郊区或农村地区差异明显,区内城市与农村有不同的氮源。苔藓氮同位素从市区往外逐渐偏正(-8.87‰~-2.48‰),说明来自市区的铵在逐渐减少,而来自农村的铵的贡献逐渐增加。贵阳地区从市区往外苔藓氮含量随距离指数降低(y=1.5e-0.13x+1.26),而氮同位素随距离对数升高[y=2.54ln(x)-12.227],揭示了源自市区的大气铵(NHx)向周边的扩散迁移呈指数降低的变化规律。运用极限法求解苔藓氮含量和氮同位素组成随距离变化的函数,发现市区铵沉降的影响范围小于41 km,在17.2 km以外的地区,市区铵沉降低于背景农业铵沉降值。     

An analysis of spectra in the Red Rectangle nebula

This paper presents an analysis of a series of spectra in the Red Rectangle nebula. Only the reddest part of the spectra can safely be attributed to light from the nebula, and indicates Rayleigh scattering by the gas, in conformity with the large angles of scattering involved and the proximity of the star. In the blue, light from HD 44179, refracted or scattered in the atmosphere, dominates the spectra. This paper questions the reliability of ground-based broad-band spectra of extended objects in the blue.     

模糊ISODATA聚类分析用于大气环境质量评价

本文应用一种基于模糊划分的聚类方法,即模糊ISODATA方法,进行大气环境质量评价。结果表明该方法简单、快速,尤其在待评价的监测点较多时效果甚佳。     

大气振荡与副高活动及四川盆地旱涝的关系

本文分析了1982年5～9月热带西太平洋地区,尤其是我国南海、菲律宾和印度尼西亚上空30～50天大气振荡与太平洋副高活动及四川盆地夏季旱涝的关系。结果表明:热带西太平洋上空大气低频振荡对太平洋副高有明显影响;四川盆地东、西部夏季降水30～50天振荡呈反位相变化;东(西)部降水低频振荡与热带西太平洋上空大气低频振荡呈反(同)位相关系。热带西太平洋上空大气低频振荡,通过引起太平洋副高中心、西伸脊点东西变动影响盆地夏季旱涝异常。     

Identifying clouds over the Pierre Auger Observatory using infrared satellite data

We describe a new method of identifying night-time clouds over the Pierre Auger Observatory using infrared data from the Imager instruments on the GOES-12 and GOES-13 satellites. We compare cloud identifications resulting from our method to those obtained by the Central Laser Facility of the Auger Observatory. Using our new method we can now develop cloud probability maps for the 3000 km² of the Pierre Auger Observatory twice per hour with a spatial resolution of ∼2.4 km by ∼5.5 km. Our method could also be applied to monitor cloud cover for other ground-based observatories and for space-based observatories.     

Solute concentrations in the lower niger river and the source rock contribution

Water quality analyses for the Niger River for the 1980/81 hydrological year are presented. The samples were collected from the main river at Lokoja, and from two main tributaries, the Kaduna and the Benue Rivers. Different water types were distinguished by the concentrations of major ions. The type Ca > Na > Mg > K - HCO₃ > SO₄ > Cl was represented at all stations during at least part of the year. Chloride was found to dominate the sulphate ion in the Kaduna and Niger, while the Benue maintained a higher concentration of sulphate relative to chloride all year round. Distinct patterns of seasonal variation in the ion concentrations were observed, particularly for the samples collected at Lokoja. Low ion concentrations were prominent during periods of high discharge, while low flow periods coincided with high dissolved ion concentrations. The contribution of rainwater to the total dissolved solids in the river waters was assessed indirectly using rainwater chemistry data from the Gulf of Guinea. The estimated rainwater contribution to the Lower Niger amounts to 5.15 mg 1^?1. Geochemical weathering calculations involving reactions of the four major minerals of granitic rocks - anorthite, biotite, albite, and K-feldspar - with carbon dioxide and water, can account for the average water composition of the Lower Niger. The proportion of the ionic components was also related to the occurrence of the respective element in the minerals.