Antarctic and transit flight data contains direct measurements of cosmic ray neutron flux, temperature, pressure, and time from a portable detector. Measurements were collected at sites including Scott Base, Mt. Erebus, and during flights between 1997 and 2000. The dataset was produced by SCIOPS in conjunction with studies on cosmic ray produced nuclides in rocks.
Use Cases
- Modeling neutron flux variation with altitude using integrated count data from field campaigns.
- Analyzing the relationship between cosmic ray flux and local atmospheric conditions via recorded temperature and pressure columns.
- Calibrating portable neutron detectors by comparing measurements with the established CosRay station data.
- Studying temporal patterns in cosmic ray intensity using time-stamped, integrated neutron count records.
Strengths
- Field measurements collected across multiple Antarctic sites and during flight transits.
- Data includes calibration information from the established CosRay detector at McMurdo Base.
Limitations
- Sample size is limited, described as 'a few small measurements' in early years.
- Geographic coverage is focused on specific Antarctic sites and flight paths.
- Data is temporally stale, with the last update recorded in the year 2000.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS via NASA EarthData.
- Collection Method
- Direct measurement using a semi-portable neutron detector recording counts, temperature, pressure, and time.
- Time Range
- 1997-2000
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Antarctica (Scott Base, Mt. Erebus, Ford Rock, sea ice) and flight transits from Christchurch.