A model for the time uncertainty measurements in the Auger surface detector array

Abstract

The precise determination of the arrival direction of cosmic rays is a fundamental prerequisite for the search for sources or the study of their anisotropies on the sky. One of the most important aspects to achieve an optimal measurement of these directions is to properly take into account the measurement uncertainties in the estimation procedure. In this article we present a model for the uncertainties associated with the time measurements in the Auger surface detector array. We show that this model represents well the measurement uncertainties and therefore provides the basis for an optimal determination of the arrival direction. With this model and a description of the shower front geometry it is possible to estimate, on an event by event basis, the uncertainty associated with the determination of the arrival directions of the cosmic rays.

Cited by in corpus (14)

• The Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory
• Correlation of the highest energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic objects
• Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with the positions of nearby active galactic nuclei
• Trigger and Aperture of the Surface Detector Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory
• The Surface Detector System of the Pierre Auger Observatory
• Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays
• Muons in air showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory: Measurement of atmospheric production depth
• Search for First Harmonic Modulation in the Right Ascension Distribution of Cosmic Rays Detected at the Pierre Auger Observatory
• Reconstruction of inclined air showers detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory
• Large scale distribution of arrival directions of cosmic rays detected above $10^{18}$ eV at the Pierre Auger Observatory
• The angular resolution of the Pierre Auger Observatory
• Reconstruction of Events Recorded with the Surface Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory
• Search for patterns by combining cosmic-ray energy and arrival directions at the Pierre Auger Observatory
• Anisotropy Studies with the Pierre Auger Observatory