Project Title

Collaborative Research: The Simpson Neutron Monitor Network

Summary

Event Number:
A-118-S
NSF / OPP Award 2112437

Program Director:
Dr. Vladimir Papitashvili

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Sheryl Seagraves

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Surujhdeo Seunarine
surujhdeo.seunarine@uwrf.edu
University of Wisconsin River Falls
Department of Physics
River Falls, Wisconsin

Project Web Site:
https://neutronm.bartol.udel.edu/realtime/southpole.html

Location

Supporting Stations: South Pole Station
Research Locations: South Pole Station, B2 Laboratory

Description

This project operates a neutron-monitor suite at South Pole Station. The science thrust of the project is an understanding of solar energetic particles using neutron monitor data, complemented with data from the nearby IceTop air shower detector. Another focus involves understanding the nature of multiple coincident particles observed in the neutron monitors, which extend the reach of the South Pole neutron monitor as a single station capable of doing cosmic ray spectral studies. Also central to the research is understanding the response of these detectors to the radiation environment of the South Pole, particularly in determining the cause of the decline in cosmic ray intensity at the South Pole over the last 50 years.

Understanding this decline is important because cosmic rays produce radionuclides such as Beryllium-10 that become trapped in the ice and are used to determine ice-core ages and precipitation levels over Earth's polar regions. An understanding of the production rate is vital to interpreting these data.

Field Season Overview

On-site fieldwork for the upcoming season includes: Raising the outdoor equipment platform now that the surrounding snow level is high enough to begin impacting measurements. One person will deploy to safely disconnect and reconnect the power and data cables, in addition to performing annual maintenance and calibration operations.

In addition, research associate support will be provided throughout the year for routine monitoring and maintenance of equipment, to include observation of the equipment on the outdoor platform and in the B2 Laboratory to ensure it is in normal operating mode, shutdown and restart of software and hardware as needed, and communication with the project's PI and other personnel. Research associates will also support any required upgrades to electronics boards, mechanical stabilization of the Bare Neutron Monitor on the Mezzanine Level of the B2 laboratory, and heater and other checks on the outdoor equipment.

Deploying Team Members