Minimal prospects for radio detection of extensive air showers in the atmosphere of Jupiter

Bray JD, Nelles A (2016)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Astrophysical Journal American Astronomical Society

Book Volume: 825

Article Number: 129

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.3847/0004-637X/825/2/129

Abstract

One possible approach for detecting ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos is to search for radio emission from extensive air showers created when they interact in the atmosphere of Jupiter, effectively utilizing Jupiter as a particle detector. We investigate the potential of this approach. For searches with current or planned radio telescopes we find that the effective area for detection of cosmic rays is substantial (∼3 × 10⁷ km²), but the acceptance angle is so small that the typical geometric aperture (∼10³ km² sr) is less than that of existing terrestrial detectors, and cosmic rays also cannot be detected below an extremely high threshold energy (∼10²³ eV). The geometric aperture for neutrinos is slightly larger, and greater sensitivity can be achieved with a radio detector on a Jupiter-orbiting satellite, but in neither case is this sufficient to constitute a practical detection technique. Exploitation of the large surface area of Jupiter for detecting ultra-high-energy particles remains a long-term prospect that will require a different technique, such as orbital fluorescence detection.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anna Nelles

Involved external institutions

University of Manchester

United Kingdom (GB) University of California Irvine

United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Bray, J.D., & Nelles, A. (2016). Minimal prospects for radio detection of extensive air showers in the atmosphere of Jupiter. Astrophysical Journal, 825(2). https://doi.org/10.3847/0004-637X/825/2/129

MLA:

Bray, J. D., and Anna Nelles. "Minimal prospects for radio detection of extensive air showers in the atmosphere of Jupiter." Astrophysical Journal 825.2 (2016).

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