Why in the news?
Researchers from India and Japan used the Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3 (GRAPES-3) telescope to analyse 22 years of muon data, enabling real-time monitoring of changes in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
What is GRAPES-3?
- GRAPES-3 (Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3) is a muon telescope and cosmic-ray observatory located at Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
- It detects muons, rather than visible light.
- It is designed to study Cosmic rays, Solar magnetic fields, Space weather, and Atmospheric processes.
What are Muons?
- Muons are high-energy subatomic particles produced when cosmic rays collide with atoms in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
- They can penetrate deep into the Earth’s surface due to their high energy.
How does GRAPES-3 Work?
- Comprises 16 detector modules.
- Each module contains 232 proportional counters filled with argon-methane gas and a tungsten wire.
- Passing muons generate electrical pulses, recorded as “hits.”
- Four layers of detectors arranged at right angles help determine the trajectory and angle of incoming muons.
- Reinforced concrete layers filter out low-energy particles, allowing only high-energy muons to be detected.
Significance
- Enables real-time monitoring of upper atmospheric temperature changes.
- Helps study the Sun’s magnetic field and space weather.
- Improves understanding of cosmic-ray interactions with Earth’s atmosphere.
- Contributes to research in astroparticle physics and atmospheric science.
Value Addition
- Cosmic Rays: High-energy charged particles originating from outer space.
- Space Weather: Variations in the space environment caused by solar activity that can affect satellites, communication systems, and power grids.
[2017] The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of
[A] Observation and understanding of the Universe
[B] Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
[C] Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
[D] Origin and evolution of living organisms on the earth