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Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
10-1-2025
Abstract
The Balloon Assisted Stratospheric Experiments (BASE) is an ongoing project aiming to measure atmospheric muons using equipment supported by high-altitude balloons. The Regener-Pfotzer Maximum (Pfotzer Maximum), which spans altitudes of roughly 15-25 km, is characterized by being the atmospheric region with the highest intensity of secondary particles from cosmic ray showers. The effects of the cosmic ray induced ionization that comprises the Pfotzer Maximum are relatively unknown and may include cloud formation, precipitation, cyclogenesis, aerosol formation, atmospheric transparency, and more. Our experiments seek to use low-cost solutions to better understand the behavior of cosmic ray-induced particles in a region of the stratosphere that is not frequently probed. Geiger counters were used to measure the secondary particle counts produced by atmospheric cascades. In 2025, we aimed to maximize the time spent in this region compared to the total flight duration by cutting one balloon away from a two-balloon system. There were eight flights in total. We also tested and successfully employed long-range (LoRa) radio communication for data transmission in real time.
Department
DePauw Department of Physics
Project Mentor
Dr. Howard Brooks
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Scott; Benyousky, Jason; Dahmany, Walae; Dong, Tri; and Mai, Minh, "Energetic Particle Detection in the Pfotzer Maximum" (2025). Annual Student Research Poster Session. 238.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/srfposters/238
Funding and Acknowledgements
Science Research Fellows Program and the J. William Asher & Melanie J. Norton Endowed Fund in the Sciences