Tanin Nutaro

Measurement and simulation of neutron monitor count rate dependence on surrounding structure

Neutron monitors are the premier instruments for precise measurements of time variations (e.g., of solar origin) in the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux in the range of ∼1–100 GeV. However, it has proven challenging to accurately determine the yield function (effective area) versus rigidity in order to relate a neutron monitors count rate with those of other monitors worldwide and the underlying GCR spectrum. Monte Carlo simulations of the yield function have been developed, but there have been few opportunities to validate these observationally, especially regarding the particular environment surrounding each monitor. Here we have precisely measured the count rate of a calibration neutron monitor near the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor (PSNM) at Doi Inthanon, Thailand (18.59∘N, 98.49∘E, 2560 m altitude), which provides a basis for comparison with count rates of other neutron monitors worldwide that are similarly calibrated. We directly measured the effect of surrounding structure by operating the calibrator outside and inside the building. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we clarify differences in response of the calibrator and PSNM, as well as the calibrator outside and inside the building. The dependence of the calibrator count rate on surrounding structure can be attributed to its sensitivity to neutrons of 0.5–10 MeV and a shift of sensitivity to nucleons of higher energy when placed inside the building. Simulated calibrator to PSNM count rate ratios inside and outside agree with observations within a few percent, providing useful validation and improving confidence in our ability to model the yield function for a neutron monitor station.

Corotating Solar Wind Structures and Recurrent Trains of Enhanced Diurnal Variation in Galactic Cosmic Rays

Data from the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor at Doi Inthanon, Thailand, with a vertical cutoff rigidity of 16.8 GV, were utilized to determine the diurnal anisotropy (DA) of Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) near Earth during solar minimum conditions between 2007 November and 2010 November. We identified trains of enhanced DA over several days, which often recur after a solar rotation period (~27 days). By investigating solar coronal holes as identified from synoptic maps and solar wind parameters, we found that the intensity and anisotropy of cosmic rays are associated with the high-speed streams (HSSs) in the solar wind, which are in turn related to the structure and evolution of coronal holes. An enhanced DA was observed after the onset of some, but not all, HSSs. During time periods of recurrent trains, the DA was often enhanced or suppressed according to the sign of the interplanetary magnetic field B, which suggests a contribution from a mechanism involving a southward gradient in the GCR density, n, and a gradient anisotropy along B × ∇n. In one non-recurrent and one recurrent sequence, an HSS from an equatorial coronal hole was merged with that from a trailing mid-latitude extension of a polar coronal hole, and the slanted HSS structure in space with suppressed GCR density can account for the southward GCR gradient. We conclude that the gradient anisotropy is a source of temporary changes in the GCR DA under solar minimum conditions, and that the latitudinal GCR gradient can sometimes be explained by the coronal hole morphology.

Tracking cosmic-ray spectral variations with neutron monitor time-delay measurements at high cutoff rigidity during 2007-2017

We present measurements of the leader fraction of neutron monitor counts that did not follow other counts in the same counter tube from the same cosmic ray shower. We use time-delay histograms collected at the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor at Doi Inthanon, Thailand, which has the worlds highest vertical cutoff rigidity for a fixed station (16.8 GV). Changes in the leader fraction are a precise indicator of cosmic ray spectral variations above the cutoff. Our data set from 2007 to 2017 spans a full cycle of solar modulation, including the all-time cosmic ray maximum of 2009 and minimum near the end of 2014, the count rate now having returned to its initial value. The electronics to collect time-delay histograms have been upgraded twice, and we have corrected for such changes to develop a long-term leader fraction dataset. We examine the spectral variation of Galactic cosmic rays above

Cosmic Ray Modulation Observed by the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor at High Rigidity Cutoff

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Relationship between the neutron time delay distribution and the rigidity spectrum of primary cosmic rays up to 16.8 GV

17 GV resulting from solar modulation and its solar magnetic polarity dependence.

Observations and Monte Carlo Simulation of the Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor at a Vertical Rigidity Cutoff of 16.8 GV

Solar modulation refers to Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) variations with the

Monte Carlo simulation of the neutron monitor yield function

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MONITORING SHORT-TERM COSMIC-RAY SPECTRAL VARIATIONS USING NEUTRON MONITOR TIME-DELAY MEASUREMENTS

11-year sunspot cycle and

Measurement and simulation of neutron monitors count rate dependence on surrounding structure

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Distinct Pattern of Solar Modulation of Galactic Cosmic Rays above a High Geomagnetic Cutoff Rigidity

22-year solar magnetic cycle, and is relevant to the space radiation environment and effects on Earths atmosphere. Its complicated dependence on solar and heliospheric conditions is only roughly understood but has been empirically modeled in terms of a single modulation parameter. Most analyses of solar modulation used neutron monitor (NM) data from locations with relatively low geomagnetic cutoff rigidity, i.e., the threshold for cosmic rays to penetrate Earths magnetic field. The Princess Sirindhorn Neutron Monitor (PSNM) at Doi Inthanon, Thailand has the highest cutoff rigidity (