EUSO-SPB2

The origin and nature of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) and neutrinos (UHEN) remain unsolved in contemporary astroparticle physics. The Extreme Universe Space Observatory Super Pressure Balloon II Mission (EUSO-SPB2) is one of several precursor missions for a space mission (JEM-EUSO) that would be dedicated to UHECR research. The EUSO-SPB2 instrument will measure PeV and EeV-scale cosmic rays, optical backgrounds that could mimic tau neutrino interactions in the Earth’s limb, and search for optical signatures consistent with the upward-going candidate events that the Antarctic Impulse Transient Antenna (ANITA) reported.The payload consists of a pair of optical telescopes that have 1 meter diameter apertures. The Fluorescence Telescope will point to the nadir and have sensitivity in the UV to target extensive air showers at EeV energies. The Cherenkov Telescope will point just below the Earth’s limb, and will have UV/VIS sensitivity to target Cherenkov emission from air showers at PeV energies. SSL is responsible for the trigger logic of the Cherenkov Telescope.

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