Project title

Cosmic Rays in the Polar Atmosphere: Exploration (CRIPA-X)

The Project aims at continuous measurements of cosmic rays in the polar atmosphere by a ground-based cosmic ray detector, installed at the Concordia Station (75°S, 123°E, 3233 m asl), in the Antarctic plateau. Full logistical/infrastructure support is offered by the station management, giving a unique opportunity to get a Finnish instrument for a nominal cost avoiding logistical/maintenance costs. One task is to measure simultaneously atmospheric aerosols and cosmic rays to study a hypothesis that cosmic rays may affect atmospheric aerosols/ clouds, providing an indirect solar-terrestrial link. Cosmic ray monitoring will also provide information on the cosmic ray variability. The proposed location on Antarctic plateau is the best possible over the globe because (1) it guarantees the greatest variability of the cosmic ray flux, and (2) the extremely clean and fairly isolated troposphere provides the best conditions to study the aerosol changes.