The sensitivity of the next generation of lunar Cherenkov observations to UHE neutrinos and cosmic rays

Abstract

We present simulation results for the detection of ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic ray (CR) and neutrino interactions in the Moon by radio-telescopes. We simulate the expected radio signal at Earth from such interactions, expanding on previous work to include interactions in the sub-regolith layer for single dish and multiple telescope systems. For previous experiments at Parkes, Goldstone, and Kalyazin we recalculate the sensitivity to an isotropic flux of UHE neutrinos. Our predicted sensitivity for future experiments using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) indicate these instruments will be able to detect the more optimistic UHE neutrino flux predictions, while the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will also be sensitive to all bar one prediction of a diffuse `cosmogenic', or `GZK', neutrino flux. Current uncertainties concerning the structure and roughness of the lunar surface prevents an accurate calculation of the sensitivity of the lunar Cherenkov technique for UHE cosmic ray astronomy at high frequencies. However, below 200 MHz we find that the proposed SKA low-frequency aperture array should be able to detect events above 56 EeV at a rate about 30 times that of the current Pierre Auger Observatory. This would allow directional analysis of UHE cosmic rays, and investigation of correlations with putative cosmic ray source populations, to be conducted with very high statistics.

29 pages, 9 figures

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• Science With The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder
• Observations of the Askaryan Effect in Ice
• Charged Current Neutrino Cross Section and Tau Energy Loss at Ultra-High Energies
• Limit on UHE Neutrino Flux from the Parkes Lunar Radio Cherenkov Experiment
• Comparison of the Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Flux Observed by AGASA, HiRes and Auger
• Expected properties of radio pulses from lunar EeV neutrino showers
• The EHE Neutrino Search Capability of the IceCube Observatory
• The Lunar Cherenkov Technique: From Parkes Onwards
• Developments in Nanosecond Pulse Detection Methods and Technology

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Cosmic Strings in Hidden Sectors: 2. Cosmological and Astrophysical Signatures
• Cosmic Strings as Emitters of Extremely High Energy Neutrinos
• A lunar radio experiment with the Parkes radio telescope for the LUNASKA project
• The Directional Dependence of Apertures, Limits and Sensitivity of the Lunar Cherenkov Technique to a UHE Neutrino Flux
• A limit on the ultra-high-energy neutrino flux from lunar observations with the Parkes radio telescope
• Detection of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays and Neutrinos with Lunar Orbital Radio Telescope