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Observation of thundercloud-related gamma rays and neutrons in Tibet
- Source :
- Phys. Rev. D 85, 092006 (2012)
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- During the 2010 rainy season in Yangbajing (4300 m above sea level) in Tibet, China, a long-duration count enhancement associated with thunderclouds was detected by a solar neutron telescope and neutron monitors installed at the Yangbajing Comic Ray Observatory. The event, lasting for $\sim$40 min, was observed on July 22, 2010. The solar neutron telescope detected significant $\gamma$-ray signals with energies $>$40 MeV in the event. Such a prolonged high-energy event has never been observed in association with thunderclouds, clearly suggesting that electron acceleration lasts for 40 min in thunderclouds. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations showed that $>$10-MeV $\gamma$ rays largely contribute to the neutron monitor signals, while $>$1-keV neutrons produced via a photonuclear reaction contribute relatively less to the signals. This result suggests that enhancements of neutron monitors during thunderstorms are not necessarily a clear evidence for neutron production, as previously thought.<br />Comment: Phys. Rev. D accepted
- Subjects :
- Physics - Geophysics
Physics - Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Journal :
- Phys. Rev. D 85, 092006 (2012)
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.1204.2578
- Document Type :
- Working Paper
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.85.092006