Production of gamma rays with energies greater than 30 MeV in the atmosphereA three-dimensional study of atmospheric gamma rays with energy greater than 30 MeV has been carried out. Experimental results were obtained from four balloon flights from Palestine, Texas, with a 15 cm by 15 cm digitized wire grid spark chamber. The energy spectrum for downward-moving gamma rays steepens with increasing atmospheric depth. Near the top of the atmosphere, the spectrum steepens with increasing zenith angle. Experimental results compare reasonably well with a three-dimensional Monte Carlo calculation of atmospheric gamma ray production. Inclusion of upward-moving gamma rays makes possible the use of atmospheric secondaries for in-flight calibration of satellite gamma ray detectors.
Document ID
19740047471
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Thompson, D. (Maryland, University, College Park; NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Fichtel, C.
Kniffen, D. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Md., United States)