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Cosmic Ray Induced Ion Production in the Atmosphere

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Book cover Planetary Atmospheric Electricity

Abstract

An overview is presented of basic results and recent developments in the field of cosmic ray induced ionisation in the atmosphere, including a general introduction to the mechanism of cosmic ray induced ion production. We summarize the results of direct and indirect measurements of the atmospheric ionisation with special emphasis to long-term variations. Models describing the ion production in the atmosphere are also overviewed together with detailed results of the full Monte-Carlo simulation of a cosmic ray induced atmospheric cascade. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the present state and further perspectives of measuring and modeling cosmic ray induced ionisation in the terrestrial atmosphere.

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Bazilevskaya, G.A. et al. (2008). Cosmic Ray Induced Ion Production in the Atmosphere. In: Leblanc, F., Aplin, K.L., Yair, Y., Harrison, R.G., Lebreton, J.P., Blanc, M. (eds) Planetary Atmospheric Electricity. Space Sciences Series of ISSI, vol 30. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-87664-1_10

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