CROP

(Cosmic Ray Observatory Project)

Norfolk High School is participating in the CROP (Cosmic Ray Observatory Project) Thru the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Physics Department (for more information check out http://cse.unl.edu/~gsnow/crop/crop.html ).

The experiment we are currently engaged in is a scan of the sky to detect any differences in direction due to either the magnetic fields of the planet or the orientation is space or perhaps the atmosphere. Due to space constraints, the only data thus far available (based on a non weighted average of 4 readings each, consisting of a 10 min, 55 min, 24 hour and 36 hour scan.) is for a cursory scan in the east west direction. More data will be developed when school resumes.

POSITIONRATIO Horo West0.2922.5 W0.8445.0 W1.8667.5 W2.9390 Vertical3.5667.5 E2.8845.0 E1.7122.5 E0.78Horo East0.27

This data (while very tentative) does indicate some degree of influence due to orientation. The data was generated by running one set of two counters in a fixed vertical position and comparing counts received at the same time against a similar setup with the axis oriented at the angles indicated. A few surprises were noted:

First that the east and west facing ratios were not the same as for the equivalent angle facing the other direction.

Second that the reading when horizontal did not again increase, as would be expected due to the Earth no longer shielding rays from the “bottom” of the scope.