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Light Pulses from the Night Sky associated with Cosmic Rays

Abstract

IN 1948, Blackett1 suggested that a contribution approximately 10-4 of the mean light of the night-sky might be expected from Čerenkov radiation2 produced in the atmosphere by the cosmic radiation. The purpose of this communication is to report the results of some preliminary experiments we have made using a photomultiplier, which revealed the presence of light-pulses of short duration correlated with cosmic radiation.

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References

  1. Blackett, P. M. S., Physical Society of London Gassiot Committee Report, 34 (1948).

  2. Čerenkov, P. A., C.R. Acad. Sci., U.S.S.R., 8, 451 (1934).

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  3. Cranshaw, T. E. (to be published).

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GALBRAITH, W., JELLEY, J. Light Pulses from the Night Sky associated with Cosmic Rays. Nature 171, 349–350 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/171349a0

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