Search

We describe a new phenomenon in atmospheric physics—222Rn progeny circulation during thunderstorms. The enhancement of the natural gamma radiation during thunderstorms was measured with precise gamma ray spectrometers. Results of measurements performed at Aragats mountain in Armenia during summer 2020 demonstrate the Rn progeny lifted to the atmosphere by a near‐surface electric field are returned backward to the ground by rain precipitation. Thus, thunderstorms not only return negative charge to the Earth by lightning flashes but also maintain Rn progeny circulation in the atmosphere; it this way, significantly enlarging natural gamma radiation above the Earth surface and Radon concentration in the atmosphere. Plain Language Summary: Radon gas and its daughter products account for more than half of the total human radiation dose from natural and man‐made radionuclides in the environment. Radioactive radiation contributes to the processes that lead to lung cancer. According to the WHO, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. In the letter, we describe a new phenomenon in the terrestrial atmosphere‐ the circulation of Radon and its progenies during thunderstorms. Measurements performed at Aragats mountain in Armenia during summer 2020 demonstrate the identity of the Rn progeny lifted to the atmosphere by a near‐surface electric field, and progenies returned to the ground with rain droplets. Thus, thunderstorms not only return negative charge to the Earth but also maintain Radon progeny circulation in the atmosphere during thunderstorms; it this way, significantly enlarging natural gamma radiation. Key Points: We describe a new phenomenon in atmospheric physics—Rn‐222 progeny circulation during thunderstormsThe Rn progeny lifted to the atmosphere by a near‐surface electric field are returned back to the ground by rainThe enhancement of the natural gamma radiation during thunderstorms was measured with precise gamma ray spectrometers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cosmic Ray research on Mt. Aragats began in 1934 with the measurements of East–West anisotropy by the group from Leningrad Physics-Technical Institute and Norair Kocharian from Yerevan State University. Stimulated by the results of their experiments in 1942 Artem and Abraham Alikhanyan brothers organized a scientific expedition to Aragats. Since that time physicists were studying Cosmic Ray fluxes on Mt. Aragats with various particle detectors: mass spectrometers, calorimeters, transition radiation detectors, and huge particle detector arrays detecting protons and nuclei accelerated in most violent explosions in Galaxy. Latest activities at Mt. Aragats include Space Weather research with networks of particle detectors located in Armenia and abroad, and detectors of Space Education center in Yerevan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Aragats Solar Neutron Telescope (ASNT) is in operation at the Mt. Aragats research center (3200m above sea level) in Armenia and constitutes part of the worldwide network, coordinated by Nagoya University. In this paper, we calculate the response function of the ASNT to the galactic and solar cosmic rays and determine the energy thresholds of the four ASNT channels. The capability of ASNT to distinguish the Ground Level Enhancements (GLEs) originated by solar neutrons is proposed and tested on the largest GLEs of the 23rd solar cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]