Feasibility of Correlated Extensive Air Shower Detection with a Distributed Cosmic-Ray Network

Abstract We explore the sensitivity offered by a global network of cosmic-ray detectors to novel, unobserved phenomenon: widely separated simultaneous extended air showers. Existing localized observatories work independently observe individual showers, offering insight into source and nature ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. However no current observatory is large enough provide anticipated processes such as Gerasimova–Zatsepin effect or potential new physics that generate showers hundreds thousands kilometers. A consumer electronics (the Cosmic Rays Found In Smartphones (CRAYFIS) experiment), may novel opportunity for observation phenomena. Two user scenarios are explored. first, with maximal adoption, we find statistically significant discoveries spatially but coincident possible within couple years. second, more practical adoption model 10 6 active devices, worldwide CRAYFIS be sensitive “burst” phenomena where many extensive (EAS) occur at once.