Possibilities for selected space weather and atmospheric studies in JEM-EUSO project?

Abstract

for the JEM-EUSO CollaborationThe main scientific task of JEM-EUSO is to observe the ultra high energy cosmic rays by looking the atmosphere from space [1,2,3,4]. The detailed description of various sources of the background is important. On the other hand, the study of selected magnetospheric, ionospheric and atmospheric processes related to temporal and spatial variability of UV (ultraviolet) on the orbit where JEM-EUSO is supposed to be situated, could be a useful by-product of the main task of the project (e.g. review [5]). We attempt to summarize selected processes connected with atmospheric electricity and with energetic particles having links to the events as TLE (transient luminous event), TGF (terrestrial gamma-ray flash) and TGE (thunderstorm ground enhancement), recently observed on mountains too. Our groups (in CBK Warsaw, in IEP Košice) have a long track of experience with measurements of waves and particles for magnetospheric/ionospheric research as well as with physical analysis/interpretation of the data obtained. The JEM-EUSO, if the experiment is augmented by a very simple device that monitors energetic particles, and coordinated with other satellite measurements and with ground based observations, may be of relevance for some space weather studies related to the effects in the chain magnetosphere/ionosphere/atmosphere. This can contribute to better understanding of electromagnetic responses of lightning on the Earth and of selected processes at high altitudes in the atmosphere.

Correlations Between Secondary Cosmic Ray Rates and Strong Electric Fields at Lomnický štít

“…Short pulses of γ rays of duration less than about 1 ms with hard energy spectra consistent with bremsstrahlung and related to atmospheric electrical discharges have been first reported by Fishman et al (1994) using data from the BATSE instrument on board of CGRO satellite. Until now there is rather long list of literature on TGF as well as on physical interpretation and on suggestions/plans for future missions (e.g., Bučík et al, 2006;Connaughton et al, 2013;Cummer et al, 2014;Dwyer, 2008;Dwyer et al, 2012;Dwyer & Uman, 2014;Kudela & Błecki, 2015;Lefeuvre et al, 2008;Østgaard et al, 2008;Smith et al, 2005;Hare et al, 2016, and references within those papers).…”

JEM-EUSO Science

“…JEM-EUSO will pioneer UHECR science from space and allow a quantitative jump in statistics to clarify the origin of the UHECRs and probe particle interactions at energies well beyond those achievable by man-made accelerators. Furthermore, the JEM-EUSO mission will make important contributions to atmospheric phenomena including the study of meteors by monitoring the Earth's atmosphere in the ultraviolet with the main telescope and ultrafast camera as well as the infrared camera of the telescope's atmospheric monitoring system (see [9,10]). Among the exploratory objectives of JEM-EUSO are the search for high energy gamma rays and neutrinos that would be ground-breaking if detected (see [11,12]).…”

The Atmospheric Science of JEM-EUSO

“…EUSO is unique in that its temporal and spatial resolutions allow the time evolution of the subtle structures (filamentation) in TLE's [16]. In the EUSO collaboration, these data will be analyzed by the CBK Warsaw and IEP Kosice groups who have a long history of experience with measurements of waves and particles for magnetospheric/ionospheric research as well as with physical analysis/interpretation of the data [17].…”