Abstract: | Measurements of the lateral distribution function (ldf) of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) as recorded by the array of water-
erenkov detectors at Haverah Park are described, and accurate experimental parameterizations expressing the mean ldf for 2 × 1017 < E < 4 × 1018 eV, 50 < r < 700 m, and θ < 45° are given. An extrapolation of these relations to the regime E ≥ 1019 eV and r > 700 m is described: extrapolation in this energy domain appears valid, and an approximate correction term is given for the larger core distances. The results of recent Monte Carlo simulations of shower development and detector behavior are compared to the parameterized ldf. The agreement is good increasing confidence that these simulations may be trusted as design tools for the Auger project, a proposed ‘next generation’ detector system. |