Method of automatic correction of neutron monitor data for precipitation in the form of snow in real time

We have carried out an experimental study of the influence of precipitation in the form of snow on measurements of the neutron flux intensity near Earth's surface. We have examined the state of the snow cover and its density, and found out that the density depends on the depth of the snow cover. Using the experimental results, we estimate the neutron absorption path in the snow. Changes in snow cover by 10–12 cm at a depth of 80 cm are shown to cause variations in the monitor count rate with an amplitude of 0.9 %. At the snow depth of 80 cm, the neutron monitor count rate decreases by about 8 %. The observed variations should be attributed to the meteorological effects of cosmic rays. The absorption coefficient of neutrons in the snow was also found from the correlation between the count rate of the neutron monitor and the amount of snow above the detector. We propose a real-time correction of the neutron monitor data for precipitation in the form of snow. For this purpose, we implement continuous monitoring of the amount of snow cover. The monitoring is provided by a snow meter made using a laser rangefinder module. We discuss the results obtained.

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Method of automatic correction of neutron monitor data for precipitation in the form of snow in real time

Solar-Terrestrial Physics ◽

10.12737/stp-73202108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 114-120

Author(s):

Valery Yanchukovsky ◽

Vasiliy Kuz'menko

Keyword(s):

Snow Cover ◽

Real Time ◽

Neutron Monitor ◽

Count Rate ◽

Continuous Monitoring ◽

Laser Rangefinder ◽

Flux Intensity ◽

Time Correction ◽

Neutron Monitor Data ◽

Monitor Data

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The new Athens center on data processing from the neutron monitor network in real time

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.5194/angeo-23-3103-2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 23 (9) ◽

pp. 3103-3110 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

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...

Keyword(s):

Data Processing ◽

Real Time ◽

Space Weather ◽

Neutron Monitor ◽

Lower Energy ◽

Geomagnetic Storms ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Neutron Monitors ◽

Neutron Monitor Data ◽

Monitor Data

Abstract. The ground-based neutron monitors (NMs) record galactic and solar relativistic cosmic rays which can play a useful key role in space weather forecasting, as a result of their interaction with interplanetary disturbances. The Earth's-based neutron monitor network has been used in order to produce a real-time prediction of space weather phenomena. Therefore, the Athens Neutron Monitor Data Processing Center (ANMODAP) takes advantage of this unique multi-directional device to solve problems concerning the diagnosis and forecasting of space weather. At this moment there has been a multi-sided use of neutron monitors. On the one hand, a preliminary alert for ground level enhancements (GLEs) may be provided due to relativistic solar particles and can be registered around 20 to 30 min before the arrival of the main part of lower energy particles responsible for radiation hazard. To make a more reliable prognosis of these events, real time data from channels of lower energy particles and X-ray intensity from the GOES satellite are involved in the analysis. The other possibility is to search in real time for predictors of geomagnetic storms when they occur simultaneously with Forbush effects, using hourly, on-line accessible neutron monitor data from the worldwide network and applying a special method of processing. This chance of prognosis is only being elaborated and considered here as one of the possible uses of the Neutron Monitor Network for forecasting the arrival of interplanetary disturbance to the Earth. The achievements, the processes and the future results, are discussed in this work.

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