Speaker
Description
Space weather refers to the changing conditions in space, primarily caused by solar activity, ultimately affecting human activities on Earth and in space. The solar emissions interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, leading to disruptions in technology and communication systems. Severe solar storms can cause errors in digital electronics and disrupt high-frequency radio signals, GPS navigation, the electrical power grid, and satellite operations. Monitoring and forecasting space weather is important to limit the negative effects of solar emissions. Currently, space weather predictions rely on monitoring solar activity, modeling its effects on Earth's environment, and using ground-level cosmic radiation monitors.
This contribution will introduce a compact autonomous unit utilizing Timepix3-based radiation detectors, developed by Advacam s.r.o. for monitoring radiation dose and particle flux. These position-sensitive detectors record information about individual particles, including Linear Energy Transfer (LET), direction, particle type, and more. Such detailed information about the radiation environment is crucial for monitoring and eventually forecasting space weather.
For these purposes, an automatic and compact radiation monitoring device featuring a MiniPIX TPX3 particle detector and a minicomputer was developed for use on board airplanes. This device is so small that it fits into a pilot's pocket.
A set of several of these devices will be used in parallel. Part of them will automatically collect data in aircraft during flight, and the other part will be used as a reference to measure radiation at the ground level. Comparison of the recorded data will contribute to a better understanding of the local radiation environment and its correlation with existing space weather forecasts.
| Workshop topics | Applications |
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