Open Competition 2025

Install Your Detector on Mount Aragats in 2025

(Open Competition)


 

From measurement to knowledge




    The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the A. I. Alikhanyan National Laboratory—one of the world’s largest high-altitude cosmic ray research stations—invites proposals for a groundbreaking project in High-Energy Physics in the Atmosphere (HEPA). Mount Aragats, at 3,200 meters above sea level, hosted a unique natural laboratory for HEPA research, with unique facilities measuring Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements (TGEs) producing millions of electrons, gamma rays, and neutrons. Proposals in solar physics, space weather, atmospheric physics, and environmental science are also welcome.

    Why Mount Aragats?

    Aragats offers unparalleled opportunities to study high-energy atmospheric phenomena. During May-June and September-October, numerous TGEs occur, providing an ideal natural laboratory. Additionally, we equipped a small lab for winning projects with state-of-the-art facilities, including:


  • Electric field sensor
  • Weather station
  • Two all-sky cameras
  • Particle detectors for separately registering TGE electrons and gamma rays
CRD provides:
  • Internet connectivity, centralized databases, and a collaborative analysis platform
  • Access to existing particle detectors, spectrometers, and near-surface electric field monitors for calibration.
Research Opportunities

With the unexpected rise in solar activity and the approach of the solar maximum in 2024, studying near-Earth environments influenced by solar and geomagnetic effects is more critical than ever. Key topics include:
  • Geomagnetic Effects & Forbush Decreases (FDs):

Aragats facilities have recently observed and measured energy spectra for FDs, confirming their physical models and improving classification schemes.


  • Ground-Level Enhancements (GLEs):

CRD’s newly developed spectrometers provide opportunities to connect measured particle fluxes with energy spectra of solar energetic events and geomagnetic storms

  • Space Weather and Solar Physics:

Researching interactions between interplanetary magnetic fields and geomagnetic fields, which affect satellite electronics and surface industries.

  • Thunderstorm Physics:

Multivariate analyses of TGEs, lightning, electric fields, and natural gamma radiation.

  • Global change        
Databases with meteorological parameters, lightning location, and electric and geomagnetic field measurements are available for researchers for multivariate correlation analysis 

    • Competition Details

      Proposals will be evaluated based on motivation, creativity, and scientific potential. The winning team will

  • Collaborate with CRD researchers to refine their project
  • Spend one week on Mount Aragats (June–August 2025) conducting experiments
  • Present their results at upcoming TEPA Conferences
  • Proposal Submission Guidelines:

Format: Free-form proposals, including project motivation and detailed specifications for required facilities

Deadline: April 1, 2024


Submission & Correspondence: Asaturyan Zara, zaraasaturyan.87@gmail.com

Winners Announcement: April 15, 2024

    • Links

CRD Official Website

CRD Publications

 


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Figure 1. All four peaks of Aragats, Kare Lake, and Aragats high altitude research station located at an altitude of 3200 m.

Figure 2. Experimental Laboratory provided to the winner projects