CREDO-Maze Cosmic Ray Mini-Array for Educational Purposes

Abstract

In this paper, we present the concept of local networks of small extensive air shower arrays installed mainly in secondary schools. As part of the CREDO-Maze Project, we plan to equip as many schools as possible with sets of detectors capable of detecting extensive air showers and transmitting their data to the central CREDO Project server. The synergy of such a network will make it possible to create a CREDO "global detector" and carry out physical research sensu stricto, e.g., the search for the Gerasimova–Zatsepin effect or the Cosmic Ray Ensemble. The discovery of one or the other would have extremely important consequences for our understanding of the nature of very-high-energy cosmic rays. In this paper, we describe a prototype local mini-array built at our university and some of the results of the exemplary tests performed. The design of the station’s electronics and the small size of the detectors allow it to be used to perform, with the simple addition of software, also other tasks within physics circles and student projects. The mini-array consists of four small detectors, with a simple system for triggering, recording, and online communication with the world. The station is designed for autonomous and continuous operation.