Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2013
Abstract
To interpret the mean depth of cosmic ray air shower maximum and its dispersion, we parametrize those two observables as functions of the first two moments of the ln A distribution. We examine the goodness of this simple method through simulations of test mass distributions. The application of the parameterization to Pierre Auger Observatory data allows one to study the energy dependence of the mean ln A and of its variance under the assumption of selected hadronic interaction models. We discuss possible implications of these dependences in term of interaction models and astrophysical cosmic ray sources. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab srl.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Recommended Citation
Abreu, P., Aglietta, M., Ahlers, M., Ahn, E., Albuquerque, I., Allekotte, I., Allen, J., Allison, P., Almela, A., Alvarez Castillo, J., Alvarez-Muñiz, J., Alves Batista, R., Ambrosio, M., Aminaei, A., Anchordoqui, L., Andringa, S., Antičič, T., Aramo, C., Arqueros, F., Asorey, H., Assis, P., Aublin, J., Ave, M., Avenier, M., Avila, G., Badescu, A., Barber, K., Barbosa, A., Bardenet, R., Baughman, B., Bäuml, J., Baus, C., & Beatty, J. (2013). Interpretation of the depths of maximum of extensive air showers measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory. Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, 2013 (2) https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2013/02/026