The updated SANAE neutron monitor

TL;DR

This paper presents a new high-resolution electronics system retrofitted to the SANAE neutron monitor, enhancing long-term cosmic ray measurements and supporting space weather monitoring efforts.

Contribution

Introduction of a novel electronics upgrade for the SANAE neutron monitor that improves data resolution and analysis, aiding network rejuvenation and space weather research.

Findings

High temporal resolution data achieved

Successful data analysis techniques demonstrated

Potential to revive decommissioned monitors

Abstract

Neutron monitors have been the premier ground-based instruments for monitoring the near-Earth cosmic ray flux for more than 70 years. It is essential to continue with such measurements in order to extend this unique long-term time series. Moreover, with the recent interest of the aviation industry to space weather effects, and especially the radiation risk posed by solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays, it is vital to extend the current neutron monitor network in order to provide near-real-time measurements to the space weather community. In this paper we discuss a new electronics system that was retrofitted to the SANAE neutron monitor in Antarctica. We present initial results from this system, featuring very high temporal resolution and discuss the techniques applied to the data analysis. Based on these successful upgrades, we are confident that this system can be used to rejuvenate the aligning neutron monitor network, and even possibly to revive some of the decommissioned instruments.