Reflecting on Cherenkov reflections

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of the MAGIC Telescope to detect Cherenkov light reflections from air showers caused by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos, opening new avenues in neutrino astronomy and cosmic ray spectroscopy.

Contribution

It proposes a novel observational method using Cherenkov reflections and sky phenomena to study ultra-high-energy particles and neutrinos with existing telescopes.

Findings

Cherenkov reflections can be observed at horizons from various surfaces.

Detection of upward-horizontal airshowers may enable new neutrino astronomy.

Geomagnetic effects could provide new cosmic ray spectroscopy methods.

Abstract

Magic Telescope may observe and reveal at horizons lights from air-shower Cherenkov reflections. The ground, the sea, the cloudy sky (below the mountain) may reflect PeVs-EeV UHECR Cherenkov lights observable by MAGIC telescopes. Even rarest UHE neutrino skimming the atmosphere or skimming the Earth may induce upward-horizontal airshowers: a new Neutrino Astronomy. These fluorescence signals or the Cherenkov reflections in upper cloudy sky may flash in correlated BL-Lac or GRB shining at opposite edges. Geomagnetic splitting of Horizontal Air-showers may offer a new spectroscopy of UHECR from the knee up to GZK energy edges.