Ponente
Descripción
One of the most important challenges of astroparticle detection via radio-based methods is the ability to correctly distinguish between the radio signals from the relevant mechanisms associated with particle-induced showers (i.e. geomagnetic and Askaryan effects) and all other impulsive and transient backgrounds. Background radio signals, regardless of origin, not only might mimic the desired physical signature, but also happen much more often. This greatly complicates the development of triggering algorithms and puts a strain on the data acquisition capabilities of radio-based experiments.
In particular, radio signals near the horizon are extremely challenging to identify due to the complex propagation of radio waves from anthropogenic sources near the surface of the Earth and through the lower layers of the atmosphere. Anthropogenic signals from these directions are less on an issue in near-vertical cosmic-ray shower studies, but are of crucial importance for experiments that search for radio signals induced by Earth-skimming neutrinos.
In this work, we consider the possibility of low-altitude clouds as the source of sporadic radio reflections that produce near-the horizon excess transient events as reported by existing radio telescopes. With a simple model of radio reflections off clouds, we study the importance of clouds as a transient background for radio-based telescopes.
