MXGS-ASIM Mission – Observation of Gamma Rays from the Earth

Paper number

IAC-14,B1,P,39,x27060

Author

Mr. Hector Espinos-Morato, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Javier Navarro-Gonzalez, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Pere Blay, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Prof. Victor Reglero, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Paul H Connell, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Chris J Eyles, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mrs. Juana Maria Rodrigo Rodrigo, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Juan Macian, University of Valencia, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. José Tomás Biosca, Spain

Year

2014

Abstract

The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) is an ESA mission which will be placed on the Columbus module on the International Space Station (ISS). ASIM will study the coupling of thunderstorms processes to the upper atmosphere,ionosphere and radiation belts and energetic space particle precipitation effects in the mesosphere and thermosphere.

The scientific objectives include inter alia investigations into sprites, jets, elves and relativistic electron beams injected into the magnetosphere above thunderstorms, lightning-induced precipitation of radiation belt electrons, ozone and NOx concentrations in the upper atmosphere, and the characterization of the optical and high-energy emission related to severe thunderstorms. 

In this sense, it is setting up a set of simulations in order to analyse the expected detections from the sensors of ASIM , in particular from the Modular X-ray and Gamma-ray Sensor (MXGS) imager. X- and gamma-radiation is a sign of ionisation in thunderclouds and ions are considered important for condensation of water vapor into cloud drops. The formation and development of thunderclouds are then affected by the electrical processes in the clouds.
 
For this purpose, on the one hand it has developed a mass model  for its use in Geant4 applications to characterize the response of the instrument to the incident high-energy radiation, and the effects of background from backscattered photons from the Columbus module. On the other hand it was developing a set of atmospheric models to set up Geant4 simulations of electron avalanche and gamma-ray propagation, with emphasis on the possible residual optical emission due to interaction with atmospheric components, and the expected spectral and timing properties of the resulting high-energy emission towards space including comparisons
with other software toolkits like CORSIKA or LEPTRACK (under developed at the University of Valencia).

There are still no simultaneous observations of lightning, giant lightning and X- and gamma-radiation. ASIM will be the first dedicated scientific mission to try to observe all these at the same time.

Abstract document

IAC-14,B1,P,39,x27060.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)