To analyze atmospheric pressure effects on muon flux intensity related to meteorological factors over long periods provides valuable insights into the dynamics of space weather and climate change. This study analyzes the relationship between muon flux and atmospheric conditions, specifically pressure, using data recorded since 2015 with portable detectors. Data have been collected from two configurations of muon detectors. The two configurations have been defined in the paper with solid angle between two detectors in the first assembly is \(0.06 \, \text {sr}\) , and for the second assembly is \(0.15 \, \text {sr}\) . The distance between the detectors is \(15 \, \text {cm}\) in each of the setups. This experiment has been conducted at Dayalbagh Educational Institute in Agra, where muon flux data were collected from the first setup in 2019, before COVID, and from the second in 2022, post-COVID. To assess correlations, the two-months comparison has been made between muon count rates and atmospheric pressure from 2019 and 2022. The analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between atmospheric pressure and muon flux. In 2019, the raw data indicated a pressure coefficient of \(-0.02 \, \text {mbar}^{-1}\) and a correlation coefficient of \(-0.01 \pm 2.18\) . Applying pressure correction, the correlation coefficient for the two months data is improved to \(-0.36 \pm 0.13\) . Similarly, in 2022, raw data presented a pressure coefficient of \(-0.14 \, \text {mbar}^{-1}\) and a correlation coefficient of \(-0.05 \pm 2.27\) . After data corrections, the correlation strengthened significantly, reaching \(-0.96 \pm 0.01\) . The measured value of relative muon flux intensity for the two months for the year 2019 ranges from \(-4.57\) to 3.46, while for the same two months of August and September 2022 data varies from \(-5.46\) to 4.04. Can this fall in the muon flux intensity be due to the minimum solar activity in 2019 for solar cycle 25? This lockdown has had a significant effect on the atmospheric conditions in terms of air pollution. These findings suggest that pressure-corrected muon flux data are essential for accurate measurements and highlight potential implications for solar modulation, which influences cosmic ray intensity, particularly during periods of increased solar activity. This approach enriches the understanding of cosmic ray behavior, atmospheric effects, and their implications for climate studies.

Experimental Cosmic Ray Studies Through the Portable Muon Telescope

会议论文
发表日期：

2025年

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Surjeet Baghel,
Sonali Bhatnagar

摘要

To analyze atmospheric pressure effects on muon flux intensity related to meteorological factors over long periods provides valuable insights into the dynamics of space weather and climate change. This study analyzes the relationship between muon flux and atmospheric conditions, specifically pressure, using data recorded since 2015 with portable detectors. Data have been collected from two configurations of muon detectors. The two configurations have been defined in the paper with solid angle between two detectors in the first assembly is \(0.06 \, \text {sr}\) , and for the second assembly is \(0.15 \, \text {sr}\) . The distance between the detectors is \(15 \, \text {cm}\) in each of the setups. This experiment has been conducted at Dayalbagh Educational Institute in Agra, where muon flux data were collected from the first setup in 2019, before COVID, and from the second in 2022, post-COVID. To assess correlations, the two-months comparison has been made between muon count rates and atmospheric pressure from 2019 and 2022. The analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between atmospheric pressure and muon flux. In 2019, the raw data indicated a pressure coefficient of \(-0.02 \, \text {mbar}^{-1}\) and a correlation coefficient of \(-0.01 \pm 2.18\) . Applying pressure correction, the correlation coefficient for the two months data is improved to \(-0.36 \pm 0.13\) . Similarly, in 2022, raw data presented a pressure coefficient of \(-0.14 \, \text {mbar}^{-1}\) and a correlation coefficient of \(-0.05 \pm 2.27\) . After data corrections, the correlation strengthened significantly, reaching \(-0.96 \pm 0.01\) . The measured value of relative muon flux intensity for the two months for the year 2019 ranges from \(-4.57\) to 3.46, while for the same two months of August and September 2022 data varies from \(-5.46\) to 4.04. Can this fall in the muon flux intensity be due to the minimum solar activity in 2019 for solar cycle 25? This lockdown has had a significant effect on the atmospheric conditions in terms of air pollution. These findings suggest that pressure-corrected muon flux data are essential for accurate measurements and highlight potential implications for solar modulation, which influences cosmic ray intensity, particularly during periods of increased solar activity. This approach enriches the understanding of cosmic ray behavior, atmospheric effects, and their implications for climate studies.