Observation of Ultra-high-energy Cosmic Rays with the ANITA Balloon-borne Radio Interferometer

Authors :: Hoover, S.
Nam, J.
Gorham, P. W.
Grashorn, E.
Allison, P.
Barwick, S. W.
Beatty, J. J.
Belov, K.
Besson, D. Z.
Binns, W. R.
Chen, C.
Chen, P.
Clem, J. M.
Connolly, A.
Dowkontt, P. F.
DuVernois, M. A.
Field, R. C.
Goldstein, D.
Vieregg, A. G.
Hast, C.
Hebert, C. L.
Israel, M. H.
Javaid, A.
Kowalski, J.
Learned, J. G.
Liewer, K. M.
Link, J. T.
Lusczek, E.
Matsuno, S.
Mercurio, B. C.
Miki, C.
Miočinović, P.
Naudet, C. J.
Ng, J.
Nichol, R. J.
Palladino, K.
Reil, K.
Romero-Wolf, A.
Rosen, M.
Ruckman, L.
Saltzberg, D.
Seckel, D.
Varner, G. S.
Walz, D.
Wu, F.
Source :: Phys.Rev.Lett.105:151101,2010
Publication Year :: 2010
Abstract: We report the observation of sixteen cosmic ray events of mean energy of 1.5 x 10^{19} eV, via radio pulses originating from the interaction of the cosmic ray air shower with the Antarctic geomagnetic field, a process known as geosynchrotron emission. We present the first ultra-wideband, far-field measurements of the radio spectral density of geosynchrotron emission in the range from 300-1000 MHz. The emission is 100% linearly polarized in the plane perpendicular to the projected geomagnetic field. Fourteen of our observed events are seen to have a phase-inversion due to reflection of the radio beam off the ice surface, and two additional events are seen directly from above the horizon.<br />Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, new figure added

Subjects :: Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics

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