First results of the SA Agulhas II mobile mini-neutron monitor: Instrumental characterization and environmental sensitivity

Discussion timeslot (ZOOM-Meeting): 21. July 2021 - 12:00
ZOOM-Meeting URL: https://desy.zoom.us/j/96969970711
ZOOM-Meeting ID: 96969970711
ZOOM-Meeting Passcode: ICRC2021
Corresponding Session: https://icrc2021-venue.desy.de/channel/24-Ground-based-measurements-of-low-energy-GCRs-SH/98
Live-Stream URL: https://icrc2021-venue.desy.de/livestream/Discussion-07/8

Abstract:
'A newly redesigned version of a mini-neutron monitor (NM), with updated and more sensitive electronics, was installed on the South African Antarctic research vessel, the SA Agulhas II, at the end of 2019. The 2019/2020 relief voyage to the SANAE (South African Antarctic base) research station was used to test the performance of the instrument. Results indicate that the new design, featuring a specially designed cradle with movement dampeners, worked well. However, due to the placement of the instrument, two unanticipated effects were observed: (i) A very strong temperature dependence at low temperature and (ii) occasional high-frequency interference, possibly due to an ice radar antenna. Both of these effects are studied in detail, with preliminary findings presented here. Because of these effects, the mini-NM will be moved to a more suitable location onboard the ship in the near future (covid permitting) and will, hopefully, provide long-term cosmic ray measurements in the southern oceans.'

Authors: Du Toit Strauss | Frederic Effenberger | Adri Burger | Stefan Lotz | Konstantin Herbst | Helena Kruger | Corrie Diedericks | Cobus van der Merwe
Indico-ID: 312
Proceeding URL: https://pos.sissa.it/395/1245