A new Experiment for Measuring TeV Cosmic-Ray Electrons
CREST is a balloon-borne instrument designed to measure the cosmic ray electron
spectrum over an energy range in which the effect of the spatial distribution of
local sources is expected to cause dramatic departures from a power law energy spectrum.
The instrument identifies UHE electrons through observation of the characteristic linear
trail of synchrotron gamma rays generated as the electron passes through the Earth’s magnetic field.
Currently, the CREST collaboration is preparing for the flight of a small 10th scale
proof-of-concept prototype. This flight will take place in the summer of 2005.
CREST is a balloon-borne instrument designed to measure the cosmic ray electron
spectrum over an energy range in which the effect of the spatial distribution of
local sources is expected to cause dramatic departures from a power law energy spectrum.
The instrument identifies UHE electrons through observation of the characteristic linear
trail of synchrotron gamma rays generated as the electron passes through the Earth’s magnetic field.
Currently, the CREST collaboration is preparing for the flight of a small 10th scale
proof-of-concept prototype. This flight will take place in the summer of 2005.