Context
Recently, findings from the GRAPES-3 telescope highlighted that changes in atmospheric conditions and solar magnetic activity can significantly influence the number of muons reaching the Earth’s surface.
About GRAPES-3 Telescope
- GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS Phase-3) is a cosmic ray observatory that studies the origin, acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays by measuring extensive air showers.
- It investigates air showers generated when high-energy cosmic rays or gamma rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere in the TeV to PeV energy range.
- The facility also studies solar activity and thunderstorm phenomena using cosmic ray muons.
- It employs an array of plastic scintillator detectors and a large-area muon detector based on proportional counters.
- It is located in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, and is operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
Cosmic Rays
- Cosmic rays are among the most energetic particles in the universe and were discovered over a century ago.
- They continuously bombard the Earth from outer space and arrive from nearly all directions.
- Their interaction with the atmosphere produces extensive air showers comprising electrons, photons, muons, protons and neutrons, which travel towards the Earth’s surface at speeds close to that of light.
- Cosmic rays have been observed across a broad energy spectrum ranging from 10⁸ to 10²⁰ electronvolts (eV).
