Cosmic ray tracking: a new approach to high-energy γ-astronomy

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 310; no. 1; pp. 287 - 291
• Main Authors: Feuerstack, M., Heintze, J., Lennert, P., Müller, B., Polenz, S., Schmidt, B., Spitzer, J., Stadler, B., Gamp, S., Hofmann, W., Kihm, T., Knöppler, J., Panter, M., Povh, B., Wiedner, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.1991
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-9002(91)91045-W

The CRT (cosmic ray tracking) project [1] proposes a new type of extensive air shower (EAS) array. 384 drift chambers of the TPC type will allow the tracking of individual shower electrons. This results in an angular resolution for air showers of σ 0 < 0.3°. In combination with a low energy threshold of a few 10 12 eV the angular measurement can be calibrated absolutely by observing the cosmic ray shadow of the moon. Results of detailed tests of several prototype drift chambers are reported.