Introduction

The primary data processing of neutron monitors includes a variety of actions and procedures that each cosmic ray station follows in order to provide the worldwide neutron monitor network with good quality of data. One of the most important corrections of primary data is the pressure correction due to the barometric effect. This correction requires the definition of the barometric coefficient which is calculated experimentally. The implementation of an online tool which can effectively calculate the barometric coefficient of a cosmic ray station, using the data of NMDB database, is presented.

This online application has the following advantages:

  • It can effectively determine the barometric coefficient of a cosmic ray station for a specific time period.
  • The use of a reference station leads to satisfactory results even in active cosmic ray periods.
  • Each station is able to easily check if the barometric coefficient used for primary data processing is correct.
  • It can check the stability of the barometric coefficient over time.  It is important to highlight that the correct calculation of the barometric coefficient highly depends on the correct setting of the application’s parameters.
  • Finally, we can say that the new online tool will be very useful for testing the data quality of the stations.

 

 

 

Further reading

 

Belov A. V., Gushchina R. T., Sirotina  I., “   Long Time Modulation of the Neutron Monitors Barometric Coefficients” Proc 23th ICRC, Calgary, 605, 1993, available here

 

Carmichael H., Bercovitch M., Shea M.A., Magidin M., Peterson R.,: “Attenuation of neutron monitor radiation in the atmosphere” Canad. J. Phys., 46, 1006, 1968. http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/p68-405

 

Chiba, T.: “ Time Variations of the barometric Coefficient of cosmic Ray Neutron Componet at Morioka, Tokyo and Mt.Norikura during the period 1970-1973”   Ann. Rep. Fac. Educ., Iwate Univ., 36, 1976, available here

 

Dorman L.I.: “ Meteorological effects of cosmic rays”,   Nauka, 211, 1972.

 

Dorman L. I.: “ Variations and Space explorations”  Moscow, 492, 1974.

 

Kobelev P., Belov A., Mavromichalaki E., Gerontidou M., Yanke V.: “Variations of Barometric Coefficients of the Neutron Component in the 22-23 Cycles of Solar Activity” Proc. 32nd ICRC, icrc00654, 2011, available here

 

 Paschalis P., H. Mavromichalaki,  V. Yanke,  A. Belov, E. Eroshenko, M. Gerontidou, I. Koutroumpi: “Online application for the barometric coefficient calculation of NMDB stations”, NKUA Internal Report, 2012, available here

 

 

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