Results of LUNASKA lunar Cherenkov observations at the ATCA

TL;DR

This paper reports on the initial results of using lunar Cherenkov observations with the ATCA to detect ultra-high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos, demonstrating the potential of the technique for future large-scale radio arrays.

Contribution

It presents the first observational results of the lunar Cherenkov technique using the ATCA, advancing the development of UHE particle detection methods.

Findings

No ultra-high energy particles detected in the observations.

Demonstrated feasibility of lunar Cherenkov technique with ATCA.

Provided constraints on UHE cosmic ray and neutrino fluxes.

Abstract

The lunar Cherenkov technique is a method to use radio-telescopes to detect ultra-high energy cosmic rays (CR) and neutrinos ($\nu$). By observing the short-duration ($\sim$few nanosecond) pulses of coherent Cherenkov radiation emitted from particle cascades via the Askaryan Effect in the Moon's outer layers (nominally the regolith), the primary particles initiating the cascades may be identified. Our collaboration (LUNASKA) aims to develop the technique to be used with the next generation of giant radio-arrays. Here, we present the results of our two preliminary UHE particle searches using this technique with three antennas at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) during February and May 2008.