Muon Detection with Weather
University
Shawnee State University
Major
AYA Physical Science Education
Presentation Types
Oral Presentation
Abstract
I present the results of a project to monitor cosmic-ray muons. Muons are an elementary particle that result from atmospheric reactions of cosmic radiation from sources around the earth, such as the sun. This radiation reaches earth and interacts with the atmosphere to produce a shower of muon particles. Various factors affect the detection and flux rate of muons, such as altitude, solar activity, air pressure, and the angle of the detector. Using historical weather data, we are looking to see if meteorological factors such as pressure produce a noticeable effect on the rate of detection of muons. Additionally, we are creating a detector of our own design, consisting of scintillator tiles and a counting device, to be flown on a high-altitude balloon to study the effects of high altitudes on the radiation levels.
Human Subjects
no
Faculty Mentor Name
Timothy Hamilton
Faculty Mentor Title
Professor of Physics
Faculty Mentor Academic Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Markins, Cody, "Muon Detection with Weather" (2023). Celebration of Scholarship. 1.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2023/Day5/1
Muon Detection with Weather
I present the results of a project to monitor cosmic-ray muons. Muons are an elementary particle that result from atmospheric reactions of cosmic radiation from sources around the earth, such as the sun. This radiation reaches earth and interacts with the atmosphere to produce a shower of muon particles. Various factors affect the detection and flux rate of muons, such as altitude, solar activity, air pressure, and the angle of the detector. Using historical weather data, we are looking to see if meteorological factors such as pressure produce a noticeable effect on the rate of detection of muons. Additionally, we are creating a detector of our own design, consisting of scintillator tiles and a counting device, to be flown on a high-altitude balloon to study the effects of high altitudes on the radiation levels.