Atmospheric Fluorescence Detection of Subluminal Objects

Our understanding of particle physics began with atmospheric studies. Victor Hess’s balloon flights in 1911 kicked off this revolution when he discovered a new type of radiation [1]. By distinguishing ground radiation and extrasolar radiation, mainly from the sun, the new field of astroparticle physics was created. As detectors increased in their capabilities, individual cosmic ray showers could be spotted by coupling Geiger counters and cameras to photograph a cloud chamber [2]. This method allowed the observation of different components of cosmic rays. Within these components, new particles such as the muon, positron, and a multitude of particles with strange quarks. However, as man-made accelerators became more powerful, the focus turned to these controlled environments that could be studied in more depth. As accelerators reach their limits, it is imperative to look to the universe in order to find more exotic phenomena and remember that cosmic rays are not the only particles in the universe that pass through the atmosphere …. The search for cosmic rays has focused almost solely on close to light speed particles and in turn, has neglected a search for other particles. With the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO), the first collaboration to search for cosmic rays from above, as well as more proposed experiments such as the Probe of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA), other phenomena can be studied at higher altitudes.

• Astrophysics