Scaler data from the Pierre Auger Observatory as a proxy of solar activity

Solar activity variations strongly impact the modulation of the flux of low-energy Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) reaching the Earth. The secondary particles, which originate from the interaction of GCRs with the atmosphere, can be revealed by an array of ground detectors. We show that the low-threshold rate (scaler) time series recorded over 16 years of operation by the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory in Malargüe (Argentina) strongly reflects solar activity and can be considered as a new proxy of solar variability. To achieve this result, we apply advanced spectral methods to this time series and to the classical solar sunspot number and sunspot area series. We detect and compare highly significant variations with periods ranging from the decadal to the daily scale and identify the origin of each variability mode. In conclusion, we show that the Auger scaler data, thanks to the very low noise level and high statistical significance related to the very high count rates (∼ 10^^6 counts per second), allow for a thorough and detailed investigation of the GCR flux variations in the heliosphere.

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Publication Details

Published
2025-09-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.22323/1.501.1370
Primary Topic
Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Scaler data from the Pierre Auger Observatory as a proxy of solar activity

Belén Andrada, Zbigniew Szadkowski, Bruno L. Lago, Carla Taricco et al.
Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
article

Scaler data from the Pierre Auger Observatory as a proxy of solar activity

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article en

Abstract

Solar activity variations strongly impact the modulation of the flux of low-energy Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) reaching the Earth. The secondary particles, which originate from the interaction of GCRs with the atmosphere, can be revealed by an array of ground detectors. We show that the low-threshold rate (scaler) time series recorded over 16 years of operation by the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory in Malargüe (Argentina) strongly reflects solar activity and can be considered as a new proxy of solar variability. To achieve this result, we apply advanced spectral methods to this time series and to the classical solar sunspot number and sunspot area series. We detect and compare highly significant variations with periods ranging from the decadal to the daily scale and identify the origin of each variability mode. In conclusion, we show that the Auger scaler data, thanks to the very low noise level and high statistical significance related to the very high count rates (∼ 10^^6 counts per second), allow for a thorough and detailed investigation of the GCR flux variations in the heliosphere.

Strong, European Commission, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, Grantová Agentura České Republiky, Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações, Vlaamse regering, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules
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Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
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