We estimate the rate of observable Horizontal and Upward Tau Air-Showers (HORTAUs, UPTAUS) considering both the Earth opacity and the finite size of the terrestrial atmosphere. We calculate the effective target volumes and masses for Tau air-showers emerging from the Earth. The resulting model-independent masses for satellite experiments such as EUSO may encompass at Enutau = 1019 eV a very large volume, V= 1020 km3. Adopting simple power law neutrino fluxes, E-2 and E-1, calibrated to GZK-like and Z-Burst-like models, we estimate that at E= 1019 eV nearly half a dozen horizontal shower events should be detected by EUSO in three years of data collection by the "guaranteed" GZK neutrino flux. We also find that the equivalent mass for an Earth outer layer made of rock is dominant compared to the water, contrary to simplified all-rock/all-water Earth models and previous Montecarlo simulations. Therefore we expect an enhancement of neutrino detection along continental shelves nearby the highest mountain chains, also given the better geometrical acceptance for Earth skimming neutrinos. The Auger experiment might reveal such a signature at Enu= 1018 eV (with 26 events in 3 yr) towards the Andes, if the angular resolution at the horizon (both in azimuth and zenith) would reach an accuracy of nearly one degree needed to disentangle tau air showers from common UHECR. The number of events increases at lower energies; therefore we suggest an extension of the EUSO and Auger sensitivity down to (or even below) Enu = 1019 eV and Enu = 1018 eV respectively.

Tau Air Showers from Earth / Fargion, Daniele; P. G., De Sanctis Lucentini; M., De Santis; M., Grossi. - In: THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL. - ISSN 0004-637X. - STAMPA. - 613:2(2004), pp. 1285-1301. [10.1086/423124]

Tau Air Showers from Earth

FARGION, Daniele;
2004

Abstract

We estimate the rate of observable Horizontal and Upward Tau Air-Showers (HORTAUs, UPTAUS) considering both the Earth opacity and the finite size of the terrestrial atmosphere. We calculate the effective target volumes and masses for Tau air-showers emerging from the Earth. The resulting model-independent masses for satellite experiments such as EUSO may encompass at Enutau = 1019 eV a very large volume, V= 1020 km3. Adopting simple power law neutrino fluxes, E-2 and E-1, calibrated to GZK-like and Z-Burst-like models, we estimate that at E= 1019 eV nearly half a dozen horizontal shower events should be detected by EUSO in three years of data collection by the "guaranteed" GZK neutrino flux. We also find that the equivalent mass for an Earth outer layer made of rock is dominant compared to the water, contrary to simplified all-rock/all-water Earth models and previous Montecarlo simulations. Therefore we expect an enhancement of neutrino detection along continental shelves nearby the highest mountain chains, also given the better geometrical acceptance for Earth skimming neutrinos. The Auger experiment might reveal such a signature at Enu= 1018 eV (with 26 events in 3 yr) towards the Andes, if the angular resolution at the horizon (both in azimuth and zenith) would reach an accuracy of nearly one degree needed to disentangle tau air showers from common UHECR. The number of events increases at lower energies; therefore we suggest an extension of the EUSO and Auger sensitivity down to (or even below) Enu = 1019 eV and Enu = 1018 eV respectively.
2004
auger; cosmic rays; euso; neutrino astronomy; tau neutrino
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Tau Air Showers from Earth / Fargion, Daniele; P. G., De Sanctis Lucentini; M., De Santis; M., Grossi. - In: THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL. - ISSN 0004-637X. - STAMPA. - 613:2(2004), pp. 1285-1301. [10.1086/423124]
File allegati a questo prodotto
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/96136
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 75
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 73
social impact