Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1999-12-10
Astropart.Phys. 13 (2000) 277-294
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
30 pages, 15 figures, accepted by Astroparticle Physics at 6. Dec 1999
Scientific paper
10.1016/S0927-6505(99)00128-0
An interpretation of AGASA (Akeno Giant Air Shower Array) data by comparing the experimental results with the simulated ones by CORSIKA (COsmic Ray SImulation for KASCADE) has been made. General features of the electromagnetic component and low energy muons observed by AGASA can be well reproduced by CORSIKA. The form of the lateral distribution of charged particles agrees well with the experimental one between a few hundred metres and 2000 m from the core, irrespective of the hadronic interaction model studied and the primary composition (proton or iron). It does not depend on the primary energy between 10^17.5 and 10^20 eV as the experiment shows. If we evaluate the particle density measured by scintillators of 5 cm thickness at 600 m from the core (S_0(600), suffix 0 denotes the vertically incident shower) by taking into account the similar conditions as in the experiment, the conversion relation from S_0(600) to the primary energy is expressed as E [eV] = 2.15 x 10^17 x S_0(600)^1.015, within 10% uncertainty among the models and composition used, which suggests the present AGASA conversion factor is the lower limit. Though the form of the muon lateral distribution fits well to the experiment within 1000 m from the core, the absolute values change with hadronic interaction model and primary composition. The slope of the rho_mu(600) (muon density above 1 GeV at 600 m from the core) vs. S_0(600) relation in experiment is flatter than that in simulation of any hadronic model and primary composition. Since the experimental slope is constant from 10^15 eV to 10^19 eV, we need to study this relation in a wide primary energy range to infer the rate of change of chemical composition with energy. keywords: cosmic ray, extensive air shower, simulation, primary energy estimation PACS number ; 96.40.De, 96.40.Pq
Heck Dieter
Inoue Naoya
Knapp Jill
Nagano Motohiko
Shinozaki Keisuke
No associations
LandOfFree
Comparison of AGASA data with CORSIKA simulation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Comparison of AGASA data with CORSIKA simulation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Comparison of AGASA data with CORSIKA simulation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-410878