Introducing CosmicWatch: A New Muon Detector
On September 18 at 11:03 AM, Spencer Axani, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware, unveiled CosmicWatch, an inexpensive, portable muon detector. Priced at approximately $100, this device is designed to identify muons—subatomic particles generated by cosmic rays striking the Earth's atmosphere. CosmicWatch serves both scientific research and educational purposes, offering a hands-on tool for students and researchers alike.
Development Background and Enhanced Features
The concept for CosmicWatch originated in 2017, when Axani sought to create an affordable instrument for teaching physics. Compact in size—comparable to a cookie tin—the detector is easy to handle and transport. It records the number of muons passing through it and stores data for later analysis. The third iteration of the device introduced improved environmental monitoring capabilities, increased radiation resistance, and faster data acquisition.
This upgraded version is already being utilized in notable experiments such as:
- NuDot
- Coherent CAPTAIN-Mills (CCM)
In addition, CosmicWatch units are being tested on high-altitude balloons to study cosmic rays in the upper atmosphere. Axani plans to launch a worldwide citizen science project that will aggregate data from thousands of these detectors globally. Cosmic rays are highly energetic particles originating from distant stellar explosions; their interactions with the atmosphere produce secondary particles, including muons.
CosmicWatch's affordability and simplicity open new doors for both education and scientific inquiry. The device empowers not only university students but also the general public to actively participate in astrophysics and cosmic ray research, potentially accelerating discoveries in the field. This global citizen science effort could become a pivotal platform for gathering and analyzing cosmic ray data on an unprecedented scale.