Enhancement of the Yakutsk array by atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes to study cosmic rays above $10^{15}$ eV

• Main Authors: Ivanov, A. A., Knurenko, S. P., Petrov, Z. E., Pravdin, M. I., Sleptsov, I. Ye.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: arXiv 2010
• Subjects: Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics astro-ph.IM; FOS Physical sciences; Yakutsk
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1011.3902; https://arxiv.org/abs/1011.3902

The aim of the Yakutsk array enhancement project is to create an instrument to study the highest-energy galactic cosmic rays (CRs) -- their sources, energy spectrum, and mass composition. Additionally, there will be unique capabilities for investigations in the transition region between galactic and extragalactic components of CRs. Using the well-developed imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope technique adapted to the energy region $E>10^{15}$ eV, we plan to measure the longitudinal structure parameters of the shower, e.g., angular and temporal distributions of the Cherenkov signal related to $X_{max}$ and the mass composition of CRs. The main advantages of the Yakutsk array, such as its multi-component measurements of extensive air showers, and model-independent CR energy estimation based on Cherenkov light measurements, will be inherited by the instrument to be created. : Proceedings of ECRS-2010, Turku; submitted to ASTRA (Astrophys. Space Sci. Trans)