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GCR Spectra Reconstructed with Neutron Monitor Yield Function and Artificial Neural Networks: Comparison of Two Methods

2026/07/23 by Stepan Siruk, Vladislav Alekseev, Victor Kuzminov +2 · 1 voice
#astro-ph.IM

paper · pdf · doi:10.33232/001c.165496

Abstract

We present a framework that reconstructs time-resolved galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) proton and helium energy spectra from the global neutron monitor network, providing data about GCR flux without direct satellite observations. Two methods are utilized and compared: a calibrated yield function plus force-field scheme and artificial neural networks trained on multi-station neutron monitor count rates coupled with heliophysical indices. The reconstructed spectral time series reproduce both large-scale solar-cycle modulation and short-term disturbances and extend to periods lacking daily spacecraft data, including 2006-2011 (consistent with PAMELA) and 2019-2022 (consistent with AMS-02 Bartels rotation averages). Artificial neural networks deliver excellent performance across energies, with markedly lower mean absolute percentage error and χ2/dof near unity. A thorough validation confirms robustness and establishes neutron monitors as an effective real-time GCR spectrometer that can be utilized for various purposes.

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