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whole_VranaAttila1977_thesis.pdf (4.72 MB)

Cosmic ray observations at high zenith angles

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thesis
posted on 2023-05-27, 13:03 authored by Vrana, A
The thesis is the description of the design and construction of a high zenith angle telescope for the Mawson observatory, together with some discussion of results obtained. Because the new Mawson observatory installed in 1972 is a logical extension complementing the high zenith angle experiment, it was felt that inclusion of a brief description of the new observatory complex would not be out of place. l joined the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition in 1964 as an expedition physicist. During my stay at Mawson in 1965 I became aware of the shortcomings of mains operated electronic equipment at remote stations and designed some battery operated solid state circuits to replace the former circuitry. Upon my return from Mawson I was commissioned to finalise the design of the transistorised circuitry and develop modular circuit units for the use with counter telescopes. In 1966 a joint project was proposed by the Antarctic Division and the University of Tasmania for a high zenith angle ground based experiment. Given the basic requirements for the desired geometry I was to undertake the design, construction and installation of the new telescopes at Mawson. During the course of the work I realized that for a successful design an understanding of the principles of cosmic ray recording was necessary. Whilst the design of the experiment rested primarily on Dr. R.M. Jacklyn, I undertook the initial investigation of the air shower component influencing the observed intensity under the guidance of Dr. A.G. Fenton and Dr. R.M. Jacklyn. I sailed for Mawson in early 1968 to install and supervise the performance of the new telescope during the first year of operation. After my return to Hobart I carried out further tests regarding the air shower component as described in sec. 3.4, based on the original idea of Mr. G.C. Cooper, the Mawson physicist in 1969. In 1970 the Antarctic Division undertook to establish an underground observatory based on the proposal of Dr. R.M. Jacklyn. The design of the experiment originated from Dr. R.M. Jacklyn based on the detailed calculations of asymptotic directions by Dr. D.J. Cooke and I had the responsibility of the design and construction of the detectors, electronic circuitry, specification of the new observatory building and selection of the site for the observatory. In late 1971 I again sailed for Mawson to supervise the installation of the new observatory and initiate the operation of the equipment. The thesis is also aimed to give assistance to the operator of the observatory in the maintenance of the equipment; therefore the function of some of the electronics are described in more detail than otherwise might seem necessary. Although some of the electronic circuits appear to be cumbersome and unnecessarily complicated at today's standard of component development, at the time of design they represented the optimum in cost, complexity and component availability.

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Copyright 1976 the author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s). Thesis (MSc)--University of Tasmania, 1977. Bibliography: leaves 81-82

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