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H2020Individual fellowship2016–2018

MAtISSE · Multichannel Investigation of Solar Modulation Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-05-05 → 2018-05-04
EU contribution
€168,277
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Multichannel Investigation of Solar Modulation Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

The topic of the MAtISSE project is the multichannel investigation of solar modulation effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays (CRs). Solar modulation refers to the time variability of the CR flux inside the heliosphere caused by the 11-year variability cycle of the Sun's magnetic activity. This effect arises from the transport of CRs with the turbulent magnetized plasma carried out by the solar wind, and it is expected to be different for positive and negative particles, or for leptons and nuclei, making their individual studies essential. Understanding solar modulation is very important for characterising the properties of the heliospheric plasma, for unveiling the origin of CRs, for the search of dark matter annihilation singals, as well as for the planning of interplanetary space missions. For long time, the study of CR solar modulation has been plagued by two important limitations: the scarcity of long-term CR data, and the poor knowledge of the interstellar CR spectra. With the new generation space experiments such as the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) experiment on the International Space Station (ISS), the PAMELA instrument, or the EPHIN detector aboard SOHO, and the Voyager-1 spacecraft in the interstellar space, a large wealth of multi-channel and time-resolved CR data has become available. The MAtISSE project has three main physics goals: (i) to extend solar modulation measurements of CR leptons and nuclei using the AMS data from the ISS; (ii) to develop numerical data-driven models of CR transport in the heliosphere; (iii) to explore a wide range of implications for the astrophysics of Galactic CRs.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The topic of the MAtISSE project is the Multichannel Investigation of Solar Modulation Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays (CRs). When entering the heliosphere, CRs encounter a turbulent flowing plasma, the solar wind, which modulates their energy spectra. The solar modulation is expected to be different for positive and negative particles (due to charge-sign dependent effects) or for leptons and nuclei (due to different charge/mass ratios), making their individual studies essential. The study of these effects has been limited for long time by two factors: the scarcity of long-term CR data, and the poor knowledge of the interstellar spectra. With the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) in continuous operation on the International Space Station (ISS), we have now an excellent multichannel CR monitor of solar activity. With the spectacular Voyager-1’s entry in the interstellar space, we have the very first data of CR fluxes unaffected by solar modulation. The aim of this project is two-fold: (i) to extend solar modulation measurements of CR leptons and nuclei using the AMS data from the ISS, and (ii) to develop a numerical model of CR modulation to be characterised by new data from AMS, spacecrafts and ground detectors. With the unprecedent quality of new data, this project is aimed to achieve strong theoretical and observational milestones. By advancing observations of particles and antiparticles, we will explore the origin of CRs and their propagation in the Galaxy. By numerically modelling the solar modulation, we will study their fundamental transport processes in the heliosphere. The goal of this project is to provide a detailed measurement-validated model of modulated CR fluxes at all locations on Earth for varying solar activity conditions. This goal addresses a prerequisite for modelling the effects of cosmic radiation and space weather hazards, which is an increasing concern for space missions and air travellers.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PERUGIA · PerugiaCoordinatorItaly

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union