Laboratory of Cosmic Rays

Head of laboratory: Dr. Yuriy V. Balabin.

Main scientific aim

Studying of cosmic rays as well as of energetic precipitating particles at high latitudes, using both experimental data and mathematical modeling.

Principal tasks

• Monitoring of the cosmic rays by neutron monitors and spectrometer observations of energetic (keV) particles in the auroral zone and the polar cap.
• The data obtained are used for the study of:
  • primary cosmic rays of galactic and solar origin (GCR and SCR);
  • processes of cosmic ray generation on the Sun, propagation in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and penetration of relativistic cosmic rays into the Earth’s magnetosphere;
  • influence of cosmic rays on the atmospheric and climatic variations;
  • cosmic ray hazard on the transpolar airlines;

Experimental facilities

Neutron monitor station in Apatity (In operation since 1968)


• standard 18-NM-64 neutron monitor consisting of 3 sections; every section includes 6 neutron counters of SNM-15 type. The effective registration area is 18 m², the average count rate is 360000 counts/hour;
• digital barometric sensor with 0.1 mb resolution;
• computer-based data acquisition system with 1 minute sampling period.

The data are published in the Internet in real time.


Neutron monitor station at PGI observatory in Barentzburg, Spitsbergen archipelago (In operation since 1968)


• standard 18-NM-64 neutron monitor consisting of 3 section mudules. Each module consists of a 20-feet sea container where a section of the neutron monitor is mounted. A section consists of 6 neutron counters of SNM-15 type with lead and polyethylene covers. Each module has an individual heating system with temperature control;
• digital barograph;
• computer-based data acquisition system with 1 min. sampling period.

The data are published in the Internet in real time.

Current research of the cosmic ray sector includes

• investigation of relativistic solar cosmic rays by the ground neutron monitor data
  • Deriving characteristics of primary SCRs from neutron monitor observations by the technique of inverse problem solution.
  • Investigation of SCR generation processes on the Sun by considering SCR dynamics in individual events.
  • Simulating propagation in the interplanetary magnetic field of relativistic SCRs and their penetration into the Earth’s magnetosphere.
• Study of interaction of GCRs and SCRs with the Earth’s atmosphere and their influence on the weather and climate.
• Estimation of cosmic ray hazard on the transpolar airlines using the data of cosmic ray monitoring at PGI stations in Apatity and Barentzburg.
• Study of the dynamics of magnetospheric precipitating particles using spectrometric observations of auroral emissions.

Scientific relations

• Within Program No.6 of fundamental researches of the Presidium of RAS “Neutrino physics” we conduct the works with IZMIRAN (subprogram ‘Study of modulation effects in the cosmic rays by the ground-based monitoring’) and with FIAN (subprogram ‘Study of modulation effects in the cosmic rays by the stratospheric monitoring’).
• The sector keeps scientific relations with the Research Institute of nuclear physics (Moscow State University) and the Institute of nuclear researches of RAS. As a result of this cooperation, a computerized system of neutron monitor data acquisition designed and constructed in PGI was installed at Baksan neutrino observatory (BNO INR RAN). Common researches of GCRs and SCRs are currently being conducted within the cooperation agreement between the Institute of nuclear researches and PGI (arranged in 2008).
• The sector participates in the project ‘Neutron monitor data base’ (NMDB) within the European project PFP-7.
• Together with FIAN researchers joint efforts on modeling of interaction of SCRs with the atmosphere has been accomplished.
• The sector performs joint research on SCR generation with the Geophysical Institute of the National Autonomic University of Mexico City, Mexico.
• The researchers of the sector have publications with the scientists from the North-East University of Potchefsroom (South Africa) and of Medon astronomic observatory (Paris, France).
• Scientific contacts have been established with the Institute of solar-terrestrial interactions of the Bulgarian Academy of sciences, Sophia, and joint works on the study of cosmic ray interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere by observations and modeling have been planned. Another topic of cooperation is estimating of cosmic ray hazard for the crews and passengers on the transpolar airlines.
• Within the same topic joint research has been started with the Institute for Radiation Protection, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich.

Future plans

Creation of a station of complex monitoring of radiation, which together with the standard neutron monitors of 18-NM-64 type will include detectors of low energy neutrons, gamma radiation and muons.

Main publications

Balabin Yu. V. Vashenyuk E. V., Mingalev O. V., Podgorny A. I., and Podgorny I. M. The Spectrum of Solar Cosmic Rays: Data of Observations and Numerical Simulation. Astronomy Reports, 2005, V.49, N.10, P.837–846.

iroshnichenko L.I., K.-L. Klein K.-L., Trottet G., Lantos P., Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B. Relativistic Nucleon and Electron Production in the 2003 October 28 Solar Event. J. Geophys. Res., 2005, V.110 A09S08, doi:10292004JA010936

Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Perez-Peraza J., Gallegos-Cruz A., Miroshnichenko L.I. Some features of relativistiñ particles at the Sun in the solar cycles 21-23. Adv. Space Res., 2006, V.38, Issue 3, P.411-417.

Perez-Peraza J., Gallegos-Cruz A., Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V. Relativistic proton production at the Sun in the October 28th, 2003 solar event. Adv. Space Res., 2006, V.38, Issue 3, P.418-424.

Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Stoker P. Responses to solar cosmic rays of neutron monitors of a various design. Adv. Space Res., 2007, V.40, Issue 3, P. 331-337.

Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Lyubchich A.A. Propagation of Solar Cosmic Rays in Loop-Like Interplanetary Magnetic Field Structures. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics, 2007, V.71, N.7, P.930–932.

Vashenyuk E.V., Bazilevskaya G.A., Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B., Makhmutov V.S., Stozhkov Yu.I, N.S. Svirzhevsky N.S., Svirzhevskaya A.K., Schur L.I. The GLE of December 13, 2006 according to the ground level and balloon observations. Proc. of 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Merida, Mexico, 3-11 July 2007), 2008, V.1, P.221-224. (ISBN: 978-970-32-5155-1).

Vashenyuk, E.V., Miroshnichenko L.I., Balabin, Yu.V., Perez-Peraza J., Gallegos-Cruz A. Two component features of the two largest GLEs: February 23, 1956 and January 20, 2005. Proc. of 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Merida, Mexico, 3-11 July 2007), 2008, V.1, P. ??. (ISBN: 978-970-32-5155-1).

Vashenyuk, E.V., Balabin, Yu.V., Miroshnichenko L.I., Perez-Peraza J., Gallegos-Cruz A. Relativistic solar cosmic ray events (1956-2006) from GLE modeling studies. Proc. of 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Merida, Mexico, 3-11 July 2007), 2008, V.1, P.249-252. (ISBN: 978-970-32-5155-1).

Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B., Vashenyuk E.V., Schur L.I. Observing Multiplicity Effect during December 13, 2006 event on the Barentsburg Neutron Monitor. Proc. of 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Merida, Mexico, 3-11 July 2007), 2008, V.1. P.257-260. (ISBN: 978-970-32-5155-1).

Kirillov A.S., Balabin, Yu.V., Vashenyuk, E.V., Fadel Kh., Miroshnichenko L.I. Effect of solar protons on the middle atmosphere composition during GLE 13 December, 2006. Proc. of 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Merida, Mexico, 3-11 July 2007), 2008, V.1, P.773-776. (ISBN: 978-970-32-5155-1).

Vahsenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Miroshnichenko L.I. Relativistic solar protons in the ground level event of 23 February 1956: New study. Adv. Space Res., 2008, V.41, P.926–935.

Perez-Peraza J. A., Vashenyuk E.V., Gallegos-Cruz A., Balabin Y.V., Miroshnichenko L.I. Relativistic proton production at the Sun in the 20 January 2005 solar event. Adv. Space Res., 2008, V.41, P.947–954.

Vahsenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B., Schur L.I. Characteristics of Relativistic Solar Cosmic Rays during the Event of December 13, 2006.Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, 2008, V.48, N.2, P.149–153.

Perez-Peraza J., Vashenyuk E.V., Gallegos-Cruz A., Balabin Yu.V., Miroshnichenko L.I. Relativistic proton production at the Sun in the 20 January 2005 solar event. Adv. Space Res., 2008, V.41, P.947–954.

Perez-Peraza J., Vashenyuk E.V., Miroshnichenko L.I., Balabin Yu.V., and Gallegos-Cruz A. Impulsive, stochastic, and shock wave acceleration of relativistic protons in large solar events of 1989 September 29, 2000 July 14, 2003 October 28, and 2005 January 20. Astrophys. J., 2009, V.695, P.865-873.

Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B., Ghermanenko A.V. Relativistic SCRs in events of 19-th solar cycle. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics, 2009, V.73. P.318-320.

Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B. Relativistic solar cosmic ray dynamics in large ground level events. Proc. 21-st Europian Cosmic Ray Symposium (Kosice, Slovakia, 9-12 September 2008), 2009, P.264-268. (ISBN 978-80-968060-5-8).

Vashenyuk E.V., Balabin Yu.V., Gvozdevsky B.B. Relativistic solar particle dynamics during the December 13, 2006 GLE events. Proc. 21-st Europian Cosmic Ray Symposium (Kosice, Slovakia, 9-12 September 2008), 2009, P.332-334. (ISBN 978-80-968060-5-8).