A demonstration device for cosmic rays telescopes

TL;DR

This paper presents a hands-on demonstrator created by high school students to illustrate the functioning of cosmic ray telescopes, combining visual and physical models to educate the public.

Contribution

It introduces an innovative, educational demonstrator that visually and physically explains cosmic ray detection principles for public engagement.

Findings

Successfully demonstrated at a Science Festival

Received Honorable Mention in a competition

Enhanced public understanding of cosmic ray detection

Abstract

We describe a hands-on accurate demonstrator for cosmic rays realized by six high school students, whose main aim is to show the relevance and the functioning of the principal parts of a cosmic rays telescope (muon detector), with the help of two large size wooden artifacts. The first one points out how cosmic rays can be tracked in a muon telescope, while the other one shows the key avalanche process of electronic ionization that effectively allows muon detection through a photomultiplier. Incoming cosmic rays are visualized in terms of laser beams, whose 3D trajectory is highlighted by the turning on of LEDs on two orthogonal matrices. Instead the avalanche ionization process is demonstrated through the avalanche falling of glass marbles on an inclined plane, finally turning on a LED. A pictured poster accompanying the demonstrator is as well effective in assisting cosmic rays demonstration and its detection. The success of the demonstrator has been fully proven by general public during a Science Festival, the corresponding project winning the Honorable Mention in a dedicated competition.