ShowerModel: A Python package for modelling cosmic-rayshowers, their light production and their detection

TL;DR

ShowerModel is a Python package that efficiently models cosmic-ray air showers, light production, and detection, serving as a fast alternative or complement to detailed Monte Carlo simulations for research and educational use.

Contribution

It introduces a Python-based tool that parameterizes Cherenkov and fluorescence emissions, enabling quick modeling of various telescope configurations without full simulations.

Findings

Provides fast, parameterized modeling of cosmic-ray showers

Supports multiple telescope types including fluorescence and Cherenkov detectors

Useful for cross-checks, design, calibration, and education in cosmic-ray research

Abstract

Cosmic-ray observatories necessarily rely on Monte Carlo simulations for their design, calibration and analysis of their data. Detailed simulations are very demanding computationally. We present a python-based package called ShowerModel to model cosmic-ray showers, their light production and their detection by an array of telescopes. It is based on parameterizations of both Cherenkov and fluorescence emission in cosmic-ray induced air showers. The package permits the modelling of fluorescence telescopes, imaging air Cherenkov telescopes, wide-angle Cherenkov detectors or any hybrid design. ShowerModel was conceived as a tool to speed up calculations that do not require a full simulation or that may serve to complement complex Monte Carlo studies and data analyses (e.g., as a cross-check). It can also be used for educational purposes.