| dc.description.abstract | I discuss the feasibility of a conceptual space-based neutrino detector that utilizes
the Ice Giants as targets for galactic neutrinos. The purpose of this research stems from
the concept of wanting to find a new method of observing the Galactic Core (GC) of the
Milky way and the Supermassive black hole, Sag A*. Observations of the GC have been
made in every accessible wavelength except for the regions of space that are too dense for
photons to probe. In these regions, we may instead use neutrinos. Neutrinos from an
Active Galactic Nucleus are emitted at extreme energies, 10 GeV to EeV scales, but have
an extremely low flux measured here at earth. Neutrino telescopes such as the IceCube
Observatory have only been able to measure a handful of neutrinos that might correlate to
the GC. But using Gravitational lensing, our sun can be used as a lens which increases the
light collection power for neutrinos by a factor of $10^{13}$ , with the trade off that the
minimum focal point is located at 22 AU. This means that Uranus and Neptune are
suitable natural targets for these neutrinos to interact with and observe the effects from a
spacecraft in orbit. Initial studies use Geant4, a particle physics simulation toolbox
developed by CERN, to facilitate the propagation of energetic particles passing through the
atmosphere of Neptune. Various aspects are studied ranging from the wavelength of the
photons that are being measured at the detector, timing of the hits, and distribution of the
photons leaving the atmosphere. For each of these aspects, I modify several variables such
as particle type, energy, interaction depth, and orbital distance from the surface. I also
discuss the versatility of this neutrino detector which has the possibility of mapping out the
inner structure of the Ice Giants, in-depth studies of the neutrinos coming from the GC,
and possibilities to use this method for other cosmic neutrino sources. This detector would
be of great interest to planetary science, particle physics, and astrophysics communities. | |
