Atmospheric corrections of the cosmic ray fluxes detected by the Solar Neutron Telescope at the Summit of the Sierra Negra Volcano in Mexico

Abstract

A Solar Neutron Telescope (SNT) was installed at the summit of Sierra Negra volcano, Pue., Mexico (19.0° N, 97.3° W, 4580 m above sea level); it is in operation since 2004. In this work, values of barometric pressure, dynamic pressure, ambient temperature and relative humidity obtained by a meteorological station close to the SNT were used, to calculate the coefficients of atmospheric correction to the registered cosmic ray flux. Once the cosmic ray data are free from variations of atmospheric origin, the time profiles observed by the SNT during five selected Forbush type decreases during the period 2011-2013 were analysed. Results obtained by several energy deposition channels (30, 60, 90 MeV) are discussed to establish the reliability of the SNT for this type of events.