Possibility of Using a Satellite-Based Detector for Recording Cherenkov Light from Ultrahigh-Energy Extensive Air Showers Penetrating into the Ocean Water

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of satellite-based detectors to observe Cherenkov light reflected from ultrahigh-energy air showers over the ocean, focusing on the feasibility within the TUS experiment's parameters.

Contribution

It estimates the reflected Cherenkov component from ultrahigh-energy air showers over the ocean, demonstrating the detectability of such signals with satellite detectors like TUS.

Findings

Reflected Cherenkov flashes can be identified for showers with zenith angles up to 20 degrees.

Detection is feasible for primary energies around 10^20 eV.

The study supports the potential of satellite-based detection of oceanic air showers.

Abstract

We have estimated the reflected component of Cherenkov radiation, which arises in developing of an extensive air shower with primary energy of 10^20 eV over the ocean surface. It has been shown that, under conditions of the TUS experiment, a flash of the reflected Cherenkov photons at the end of the fluorescence track can be identified in showers with zenith angles up to 20 degrees.