Correlations Between Secondary Cosmic Ray Rates and Strong Electric Fields at Lomnický štít. Issue 20 (19th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kudela, K.; Chum, J.; Kollárik, M.; Langer, R.; Strhárský, I.; Baše, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 122:Issue 20(2017)
• Page Start: 10, 700
• Page End: 10, 710
• Publication Date: 2017-10-19
• Subjects: cosmic rays -- electric field -- mountains; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JD026439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: Since March 2014, there is a continuous measurement of secondary cosmic rays by the detector system SEVAN (Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network) at Lomnický štít, altitude 2, 634 m above sea level. Starting from June 2016, the count rates (1 s resolution) obtained from the three SEVAN detectors and from their coincidences are available, along with selected meteorological characteristics. Since 30 May 2016 the electric field measurements have been installed at the same site. Several events with clear increase of the count rate in the upper detector of SEVAN were observed during the thunderstorms until 17 September 2016. Examples of these measurements are presented and discussed. Barometric pressure correction and elimination of low‐frequency variability from the signal allow to extract 2 min averaged increases from the data. It is shown that the 2 min averaged increases of count rates measured by SEVAN correspond with periods of high electric field (with higher probability during negative polarity) rather than with the individual discharges (lightning). Key Points: Short‐term (minutes to tens of minutes) increases in the upper scintillator of SEVAN detector system at altitude 2, 634 m are observed Increases correspond to periods of high electric field measured at the same site rather than with the individual discharges (lightning) Increases during thunderstorm period in 2016 correspond with higher probability to negative rather than to positive vertical electric field