2011/05/31 by M. Pallavicini, R. Pesce, A. Petrolini +1
Physics and Astronomy · #astro-ph.IM #astro-ph.HE
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.astropartphys.2011.11.006
published as Astroparticle Physics Volume 35, Issue 7, February 2012, Pages 402-420 · 24 pages, 10 figures; submitted to Astroparticle Physics 27 pages, 14 figures; major revision; added new figures and sections; typos fixed. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0810.5711
arxiv created 2011/11/11 · arxiv updated 2011/12/15
In this paper we review the main issues that are relevant for the detection of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) from space. EAS are produced by the interaction of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Particles (UHECP) with the atmosphere and can be observed from an orbiting telescope by detecting air fluorescence UV light. We define the requirements and provide the main formulas and plots needed to design and optimize a suitable telescope. We finally estimate its expected performances in ideal conditions.