Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme
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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik
EP 18: 100 Jahre Hess
EP 18.2: Invited Talk
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 17:00–17:30, V55.02
The Pierre Auger Observatory — •Markus Risse — University of Siegen
One century after the seminal balloon flights of Victor Hess, the Pierre Auger Observatory aims at unveiling some of the mysteries of the highest-energy cosmic rays: what are their sources? Is there an end to the spectrum? What kind of particles are they?
The Auger Observatory measures cosmic rays with energies of 1020 eV or more by observing the giant air showers created when the particles hit the atmosphere. Located in Argentina, two complementary detector systems are used: an array of 1600 water-Cherenkov detectors distributed over 3000 km2, and fluorescence telescopes which monitor the atmosphere above the array in clear nights.
Since 2005, data of unprecedented quantity and quality could be taken. Current, partly surprising results as well as perspectives are discussed within the historical context of cosmic-ray research.