A new model-independent approach for finding the arrival direction of an extensive air shower

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fast, stable, and model-independent method for accurately determining the arrival direction of extensive air showers, outperforming existing techniques especially at array edges.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach that does not rely on function minimization or detailed EAS structure knowledge, improving angular resolution and computational stability.

Findings

Achieves about 1 degree angular resolution in central regions

Provides better angular resolution at array margins

Method is faster and more stable than existing techniques

Abstract

A new accurate method for reconstructing the arrival direction of an extensive air shower (EAS) is described. Compared to existing methods, it is not subject to minimization of a function and, therefore, is fast and stable. This method also does not need to know detailed curvature or thickness structure of an EAS. It can have angular resolution of about 1 degree for a typical surface array in central regions. Also, it has better angular resolution than other methods in the marginal area of arrays.