Oden Cruise
The IceTop surface array detects particles by recording the light produced when they pass through tanks of ice on the surface at the South Pole. To calibrate the energy response of the ice tanks, we need a signal where the energy is known. Fortunately, the sun supplies a reasonably well studied spectrum of particles. The energy required for the particles to reach an IceTop detector is dependent upon the magnitude and direction of the Earth’s Magnetic field. This is where the Oden Cruise comes into play.
A tank similar to those used in the IceTop array will be shipped from Sweden to Antarctica on the Oden icebreaker. This tank will employ the use of four DOMs (Digital Optical Modules) vs. the two normally used in an IceTop tank. This will help remedy the fact that only one tank will be detecting particles instead of an array of tanks. The tank will sail on its journey inside of a large freezer container on board the Oden.
The Oden is an icebreaker ship retrofitted to carry out scientific expeditions. Due to its tendency to tilt and sway meters onboard will monitor the ship's, and thus the tank's orientation. Other sensors will measure the barometric pressure as all of these factors have an impact on the propagation of cosmic rays.
UWRF students have been given the opportunity to travel on the Oden to help monitor the tank as well as help with operations on the ship. The trip is set to be completed in three legs with Drew Anderson (UWRF) traveling on the first from Sweden to Montivideo, Uruguay. Samantha Jakel (UW-Rock County) will take over there and accompany the tank to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Finally, Kyle Jero (UWRF) will monitor the tank from McMurdo to Punta Arenas, Chile.
Feel free to learn more about the trip from the students themselves in their blogs!
Kyle Jero's blog
