High-precision measurements of extensive air showers with the SKA

TL;DR

The SKA radio telescope will enable highly precise measurements of cosmic ray air showers, advancing understanding of cosmic ray composition, particle interactions at ultra-high energies, and potential links to lightning phenomena.

Contribution

This paper discusses the technical capabilities and scientific potential of using the SKA for detailed air shower detection and analysis.

Findings

Enables detailed studies of cosmic ray composition.

Allows three-dimensional tomography of air showers.

Facilitates research on air showers' connection to lightning.

Abstract

As of 2023, the Square Kilometre Array will constitute the world's largest radio telescope, offering unprecedented capabilities for a diverse science programme in radio astronomy. At the same time, the SKA will be ideally suited to detect extensive air showers initiated by cosmic rays in the Earth's atmosphere via their radio emission. With its very dense and uniform antenna spacing in a fiducial area of one km$^2$ and its large bandwidth of 50-350 MHz, the low-frequency part of the SKA will provide very precise measurements of individual cosmic ray air showers. These precision measurements will allow detailed studies of the mass composition of cosmic rays in the energy region of transition from a Galactic to an extragalactic origin. Also, the SKA will facilitate three-dimensional "tomography" of the electromagnetic cascades of air showers, allowing the study of particle interactions at energies beyond the reach of the LHC. Finally, studies of possible connections between air showers and lightning initiation can be taken to a new level with the SKA. We discuss the science potential of air shower detection with the SKA and report on the technical requirements and project status.