18-IGY Neutron Monitor Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch Sphinx
IGY
Sphinx with view over the Aletsch Glacier
Housing of IGY neutron monitor

General description

The detector is housed on top of the Sphinx Observatory Jungfraujoch.
Detector: Standard 18-IGY neutron monitor (3 units of 6 counters)
Geographic latitude: 46.55° N
Geographic longitude: 7.98° E
Altitude: 3570m asl
Effective vertical cutoff rigidity (Epoch 2000.0): 4.49 GV
In continous operation since 1958

The operation of the neutron monitor is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, grant NF 20-067092.01 and by the International Foundation High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat (HFSJG), CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.

Atmospheric Pressure Measurements

An aeroid barometer (GB 1, Meteolabor AG CH-8620 Wetzikon, Switzerland) is used inside the housing of the neutron monitor station.

Data Acquisition System

The one-minute and five-minute readings of the three neutron monitor sections are recorded together with date, time and barometric pressure by a Linux-PC on harddisk. The exact time is taken by a radio watch (DCF 77 EAP 31, W. Meinberg, D-3280 Bad Pyrmont, Germany).

Barometric Correction

The cosmic ray data are pressure corrected using a barometric coefficient of 0.96% per mmHg. The counting rates are corrected to an average pressure of 482 mmHg.