Cosmic Ray Physics

Introduction to Cosmic Ray Physics in the context of the Astroparticle Physics.
The historical path: the discovery of the Cosmic Rays or Cosmic Radiation from the beginning of 1900 until 2000 and the intersection with Particle Physics. Fundamental of Cosmic Ray Physics: properties, origin, acceleration and propagation of the primary Cosmic Rays. The phenomenon of the Extensive Air Showers in the terrestrial atmosphere: properties, physics, origin and propagation of the secondary Cosmic Rays. Experimental methods in Cosmic Ray Physics: measurements of the Cosmic Rays for E<10^15eV (direct mode) and measurements of the Cosmic Rays for E>10^15 eV (indirect mode). The Pierre Auger Observatory (2000-today): the most giant ground-based multi-hybrid array for Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays. Future Perspectives (>2030): the next and innovative generation of ground-based and space-based experiments in the field; the roadmap for the research of cosmic rays in the Multi-messengers Astronomy.
Please, see at the URL: https://syllabus.unict.it/scheda-insegnamento.php?id=cafc0df9-f467-445d-b451-cebd8d52931c&eng

LEARNING OUTCOMES
The learning outcomes of the Cosmic Ray Physics course consist of providing an overview on the properties of the charged “Cosmic Radiation” (Cosmic Rays): astrophysical sources of cosmic rays, transportation, propagation and acceleration of the primary cosmic rays in the galactic and extra-galactic environment, interaction and production of particle showers (secondary cosmic
rays) in the terrestrial atmosphere, investigation of their Energy Spectrum, Mass Composition and Anisotropy in their arrival direction on the Earth (at the top of atmosphere) with particular attention to the high and ultra-high energy intervals. Moreover, the techniques of direct and indirect measurements of the low, medium, high, very-high, ultra-high and extreme energy cosmic rays will be
examined. The scientific results of the main past and present experiments in the Cosmic Ray Physics will be analyzed, the status of works and the future perspectives will be discussed.

UNITS
1. Introduction: Cosmic Ray Physics in the context of the Astroparticle Physics
2. The discovery of the Cosmic Rays or Cosmic Radiation: the hystorical path
3. Fundamentals of the Cosmic Ray Physics: properties, origin, acceleration and propagation of the primary Cosmic Rays.
4. Extensive Air Showers: properties, origin, physics and propagation of the secondary Cosmic Rays in the Earth’s atmoshere
5. Direct Measurements: measurements of the Cosmic Rays for E<10^15eV
6. Indirect Measurements: measurements of the Cosmic Rays for E>10^15eV
7. The Pierre Auger Observatory: the research of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays
8. Future Perspectives: next generation of ground-based and space-based experiments In searching for Cosmic Rays and the Multi-messenger Astronomy.

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TOOLS
Lecturer slides and notes, textbooks, papers on scientific journals, digital contents, interactive activities (see section below), access to databases and bibliographic and scientific resources

PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS.

• Regular Lecturers by the Professor;
• Follow-up Meetings: periodic meetings where the learning process of students is trained and tested during the course by means of three ongoing seminars, named “In-depth Seminars”, presented by the student themselves. Previously they must individually study in detail one of the topics presented during the lecturers. Their in-depth analysis is based on the study of scientific peer-reviewed papers and the opportunity to access to the corresponding databases and bibliographic and scientific resources, on the elaboration in a critical original presentation in form of seminar in the classroom (or video-classroom) in presence of other students that participate asking questions and discussing like in a “round table”.

Timetable:

50 hours of lecturers/activities in total:

• 35 hours of lecturers = 16 lessons (2 hours) + 1 lesson (3 hours) with frequency: 2 lessons/week
• 15 hours of activities = 5 follow-up meetings (3 hours) for training and in-depth analysis with frequency: 1 or 2/month.

It’s required that a student must have successfully completed the following courses: Fundamentals of General Physics 1 and 2 and that he/she has knowledge of Relativistic Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Special Relativity; basics of Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics; elements of Radiation-Matter Interactions and Particle-Matter; fundamentals of operating principles of Particle Detectors. – The study levels of this course is available for M or D. – Required linguistic skills: advanced use of read, written and spoken English.

Study Level: Master, PhD

• Submit your application via the button ‘Apply Now’.
• Please, keep in mind that the number of participants could be limited for each course. Application does not guarantee enrolment in the course.
• The course participants will be selected based on criteria specified in the study guide.
• Your home university will inform you whether you have been accepted and provide further information about the next steps.