National Institute for Subatomic Physics
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Science & Technology»Astroparticle Physics

Cosmics - Pierre Auger Observatory

Together with international colleagues, Nikhef physicists conduct research by means of innovative detectors on the Argentinean pampa. They do this to gain more understanding of the nature and origin of cosmic rays.

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What are cosmic rays?
What does the research entail?
How do the researchers know where the radiation originates from?
What is Nikhef's contribution to this research?
Why do we want to know this and what are possible applications?

Program leader of the Cosmic Rays program at Nikhef is Charles Timmermans


One of the about 1600 water basins on the Argentinean pampa that together form a detector with which particles are measured.
Water basins in the assembly hall. The names were given by students in the area where the basins have been installed.
The Pierre Auger Observatory also encompasses several antennas with solar panels with which radiation in the atmosphere can be measured.