TY - JOUR
T1 - Study of downward Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory
AU - the Pierre Auger Collaboration
AU - Colalillo, Roberta
AU - Dwyer, Joseph
AU - Abdul Halim, A.
AU - Abreu, P.
AU - Aglietta, M.
AU - Allekotte, I.
AU - Almeida Cheminant, K.
AU - Almela, A.
AU - Aloisio, R.
AU - Alvarez-Muñiz, J.
AU - Ammerman Yebra, J.
AU - Anastasi, G. A.
AU - Anchordoqui, L.
AU - Andrada, B.
AU - Andringa, S.
AU - Aramo, C.
AU - Araújo Ferreira, P. R.
AU - Arnone, E.
AU - Arteaga Velázquez, J. C.
AU - Asorey, H.
AU - Assis, P.
AU - Avila, G.
AU - Avocone, E.
AU - Badescu, A. M.
AU - Bakalova, A.
AU - Balaceanu, A.
AU - Barbato, F.
AU - Bartz Mocellin, A.
AU - Bellido, J. A.
AU - Berat, C.
AU - Bertaina, M. E.
AU - Bhatta, G.
AU - Bianciotto, M.
AU - Biermann, P. L.
AU - Binet, V.
AU - Bismark, K.
AU - Bister, T.
AU - Biteau, J.
AU - Blazek, J.
AU - Bleve, C.
AU - Blümer, J.
AU - Boháčová, M.
AU - Boncioli, D.
AU - Bonifazi, C.
AU - Bonneau Arbeletche, L.
AU - Borodai, N.
AU - Brack, J.
AU - Brichetto Orchera, P. G.
AU - Briechle, F. L.
AU - Ventura, C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright owned by the author(s) under the terms of the Creative Commons.
PY - 2024/9/27
Y1 - 2024/9/27
N2 - The surface detector (SD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory, consisting of 1660 water-Cherenkov detectors (WCDs), covers 3000 km2 in the Argentinian pampa. Thanks to the high efficiency of WCDs in detecting gamma rays, it represents a unique instrument for studying downward Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) over a large area. Peculiar events, likely related to downward TGFs, were detected at the Auger Observatory. Their experimental signature and time evolution are very different from those of a shower produced by an ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray. They happen in coincidence with low thunderclouds and lightning, and their large deposited energy at the ground is compatible with that of a standard downward TGF with the source a few kilometers above the ground. A new trigger algorithm to increase the TGF-like event statistics was installed in the whole array. The study of the performance of the new trigger system during the lightning season is ongoing and will provide a handle to develop improved algorithms to implement in the Auger upgraded electronic boards. The available data sample, even if small, can give important clues about the TGF production models, in particular, the shape of WCD signals. Moreover, the SD allows us to observe more than one point in the TGF beam, providing information on the emission angle.
AB - The surface detector (SD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory, consisting of 1660 water-Cherenkov detectors (WCDs), covers 3000 km2 in the Argentinian pampa. Thanks to the high efficiency of WCDs in detecting gamma rays, it represents a unique instrument for studying downward Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) over a large area. Peculiar events, likely related to downward TGFs, were detected at the Auger Observatory. Their experimental signature and time evolution are very different from those of a shower produced by an ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray. They happen in coincidence with low thunderclouds and lightning, and their large deposited energy at the ground is compatible with that of a standard downward TGF with the source a few kilometers above the ground. A new trigger algorithm to increase the TGF-like event statistics was installed in the whole array. The study of the performance of the new trigger system during the lightning season is ongoing and will provide a handle to develop improved algorithms to implement in the Auger upgraded electronic boards. The available data sample, even if small, can give important clues about the TGF production models, in particular, the shape of WCD signals. Moreover, the SD allows us to observe more than one point in the TGF beam, providing information on the emission angle.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85212282950
M3 - Conference article
AN - SCOPUS:85212282950
SN - 1824-8039
VL - 444
JO - Proceedings of Science
JF - Proceedings of Science
M1 - 439
T2 - 38th International Cosmic Ray Conference, ICRC 2023
Y2 - 26 July 2023 through 3 August 2023
ER -