The global cosmic-ray muon detector network connects many synchronized, low-cost muon sensors around the world to track real-time changes in cosmic radiation.
Muons are produced when primary cosmic rays hit the Earth’s atmosphere. They act as “invisible messengers”, conveying information about changes in the particle environment above us.
Solar storms can temporarily lower muon numbers through a phenomenon known as Forbush depletion, or cause short-term spikes when high-energy particles reach Earth. Weather conditions also affect the number of muons detected.
By combining standardized measurements with shared dashboards and consistent metadata, the network improves global coverage and speeds alerts. Here’s how the detector works and how it’s involved.
What is the worldwide cosmic-ray muon detector network?
Solar storms and atmospheric changes can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications with little warning.
The global cosmic-ray muon detector network addresses this risk by continuously measuring changes in cosmic-ray intensity associated with muons at many locations and streaming the results in real time.
Each station uses a standardized detection method (usually a plastic scintillator or gas counter combined with timing electronics), so measurements are consistent from site to site. As muons pass through the detector, the events are time-stamped, summarized, and uploaded to a sharing platform. Researchers can compare data across latitude, altitude, and geomagnetic environment.
Rather than relying on a single large observatory, this network has many small, coordinated instruments distributed around the world. Continuous improvements focus on lowering power consumption, improving calibration, and making it easier to implement in schools and small labs. Collaboration between researchers, educators, and citizen scientists will strengthen both coverage and resilience.
Why are cosmic ray muons important to space weather?
Muons are produced in the upper atmosphere, but reach the ground in large quantities. Because they originate from primary cosmic rays, changes in the muon rate reflect changes in the particle environment surrounding the Earth.
For space weather monitoring, muon detectors have several advantages. They operate continuously, provide wide geographic coverage, and provide comparable measurements at high speeds. This helps improve situational awareness for systems sensitive to radiation and electrical disturbances.
Because muon trends indicate changes in transmitted secondary radiation, they can also provide estimates of radiation exposure in aviation and high-altitude operations. On longer time scales, muon records contribute to astrophysical research by linking ground-based observations with solar modulations and the galactic cosmic ray background.
Expanding networks through schools and community partners increases data density and strengthens scientific literacy.
How do solar storms change the muon rate on Earth?
When a solar storm passes by Earth, it can change the number of primary cosmic rays that reach the atmosphere. Strong eruptions disrupt the solar wind’s magnetic field and partially shield Earth from galactic particles. The result is often a short-term decrease in muon numbers known as Forbush reduction.
There may also be a temporary increase in muons detected by the sun’s energetic particles, appearing as short-lived spikes. Atmospheric conditions also play a role. Changes in pressure and temperature affect how the air shower develops and how many muons survive to reach ground-based detectors.
To isolate the sun’s influence, researchers apply weather corrections and compare synchronized data from many locations. The network can separate magnetospheric effects from local atmospheric changes by looking at patterns across the region.
What is lacking in today’s space weather monitoring?
Despite advances in satellites and observatories, gaps remain in global space weather monitoring. Storms evolve rapidly and unevenly, and sensor coverage remains sparse in many regions, especially over the ocean and parts of the Global South.
Limited regional data reduces model accuracy and increases uncertainty. Subtle warning signs can go undetected, and predictions can be compromised by false alarms or missed events. Even when an alert is raised, delays in data processing and coordination within the organization can reduce the amount of time operators have to respond.
Addressing these weaknesses requires broader, interoperable, real-time measurements shared across institutions and borders.
How does a low-cost muon detector work?
Expanding coverage starts with equipment that is affordable and easy to deploy. Low-cost muon detectors typically include a stacked plastic scintillator panel, an optical sensor such as a silicon photomultiplier tube, a front-end amplifier, and a compact digitizer or microcontroller for timing and counting.
When muons pass through the scintillator, a short flash of light is produced. The sensor converts this flash into electrical pulses. By stacking two or more layers and requiring simultaneous signals, the system filters out background noise and confirms that particles have passed through the detector.
Using multiple layers allows for easy tracking by comparing which panels are triggered and when. Electronic devices timestamp events, record environmental data, and send compact summaries. Data analysis then applies calibration factors and matched timing windows to extract reliable changes in muon flux from the raw counts.
How does gLOWCOST build a muon detector network?
gLOWCOST expands from individual detectors to a coordinated global network by deploying standardized, low-cost equipment to schools and partner institutions.
Each site uses a common design developed by Georgia State University’s Nuclear Physics Group, ensuring comparable data without the need for custom engineering.
The project is growing through partnerships across East Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. The lab will collaborate with the classroom to expand its geographic reach and improve continuity of operations.
Educational support is central to this model. Schools receive training on installation, calibration, and basic analysis, turning each detector into a long-term STEM learning tool rather than a one-time demonstration.
Open data practices allow students, educators, and researchers to explore shared datasets and collaborate on research. Early milestones, including its introduction to Frederick Douglass High School in October 2024, mark the beginning of a broader global rollout.
How do real-time muon alerts and dashboards work?
Each detector streams time-stamped count rates to a shared server. Automatic checks compare incoming data to a baseline model and flag statistically significant deviations that may indicate solar activity or rapid atmospheric changes.
When a threshold is exceeded, an alert is issued with a confidence level and contextual information such as pressure and temperature corrections to reduce false positives.
Dashboards transform raw data into accessible visualizations such as moving averages, anomaly timelines, and geographic comparisons. Users can check detector health, calibration status, and data gaps before interpreting events as physical rather than instrumental.
Researchers will use shared views to tailor their analysis, and public dashboards will display simplified plots and explanations to help students and the broader community understand space weather phenomena.
How can schools and citizens participate in the Muon Network?
Schools and civic organizations can participate by hosting a detection station in partnership with the gLOWCOST Collaboration.
This process typically begins with an application that describes the site, internet access, and local monitoring. Approved hosts receive setup guidance, training materials, and safety instructions.
Once installed, schools can incorporate the detector into STEM lessons. Students assist with calibration checks, environmental records, basic data verification, and gain hands-on experience in real-world scientific measurements.
Participants follow standardized protocols and share time-stamped data and metadata, allowing results to be combined across continents. Through this collaborative approach, the network will expand its geographic reach, enhance real-time monitoring, and build a durable community engaged in global research.
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