UV fluorescence detection of extreme energy cosmic rays by the JEM-EUSO experiment

Abstract

Abstract The Extreme Universe Space Observatory on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM-EUSO) is a new experiment, based on an international collaboration of 16 countries, including Algeria. With the help of a space telescope embarked on the International Space Station (ISS), this experiment aims to observe extreme energy cosmic rays (EECR), above 5 · 1019 eV. Due to their very low flux, the study of these EECR is carried out indirectly by observing from space the extensive air showers (EAS) generated by the interaction of a primary particle with the upper atmosphere. The characteristics of these EAS allow us to go back to the characteristics of the primary particle, such as energy and arrival direction, by measuring the amount of fluorescence light emitted along their development. For this purpose, we have used an analytical method to estimate the amount of fluorescence photons detected by the JEM-EUSO space telescope for an incident proton of 1020 eV and a zenithal angle of 60°. Our results are compared to a more precise calculation using the EUSO Analysis and Simulation System (ESAF).