Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna

A crucial breakthrough in the scientific field, got carved in by a group of researchers by exploring the concept of “a stream of particles possessing high-energy particles erupting from the ice” in Antarctica. According to the theory of researchers, the concept could be a proof that it belongs to a parallel universe.

Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna colloquially known as “ANITA” – is an experimental research performed by a team of researchers at NASA. It gained a sudden limelight because the cosmic-ray shower was the foundation to the new exploration of NASA’s project-  ANITA, furthermore the other experimental research- Ice Cube experiment in Antarctica.

Demystifying – ANITA (Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna )

ANITA, is a design formulated by the premier and eminent world space agency NASA. Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna is an instrumental device known as a radio telescope. It helps in detection of neutrinos, present in cosmic rays possessing ultra-high energy from a scientific balloon passing over Antarctica.

A number of radio antennas are connected to a helium balloon flying at 37,000 meters above the Antarctic ice sheet. To get an estimate of the distance they are flying, commercial flights are required to fly at approximately one fourth fraction of the height at which the antenna is located. The significance of the estimate of height is to buzz off all the glitches and noises so the purpose of ANITA i.e. to hear and record the cosmos and detection of neutrinos (the high energy particles). The neutrinos have the tendency of constant bombardment of the planets. ANITA or the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna is known to be the first observatory of NASA to detect neutrinos of any form and kind.

The instrument was able to gain it’s purpose of:

1. For the purpose of detecting the ‘array” of high-energy particles in the year 2006 and 2014. It gradually succeeded in achieving its purpose.
2. However, in the initial phases some researchers pondered  them as some sort of background glitches and noises.

Working Principle of ANITA – How it Detects Neutrinos?

The underlying principle behind the detection of  these higher energy neutrinos is described by the ‘Askaryan effect’. 

The Askaryan effect makes predictions on the emission of the coherent radio rays, emerging out during interactions between high energy particles, from the cascade of particles. These coherent radio emissions are termed as 

Askaryan pulses. These pulses could only be detected in a radio transparent medium to allow the process of interaction to take place as a lot of further phenomena are dependent on these series of interactions. 

The Phases of Launch of ANITA

ANITA-I:

• Location of launch: took place from McMurdo, Antarctica.
• Year: In the year 2006

ANITA-II:

A modified version of the ANITA- I instrument (it now comes with 40 antennas).

• Location of launch: from McMurdo Station
• Year of launch: in 2008. 

ANITA-III:

The launch progressed with a improvised version of ANITA i.e. ANITA-III. It now comes with various advanced systems with better range of sensitivity (by a sensitivity factor ranging between 5–10) 

• Year of launch: December 2014.

ANITA-IV:

This instrument was equipped with an advanced trigger system and furthermore  with tunable notch filters.

• Year of launch:  launched in December 2016.

Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)

The Antarctic treaty definition describes the Antarctic treaty system (ATS) as a complex set of arrangements formulated in order to achieve regulations amongst various states in the Antarctic.On June 23, 1961, the Antarctic Treaty System came into effect. The Antarctic Treaty System envelopes the zones falling southwards of 60°S latitude.

After the agreement made by the twelve countries it came into proper effect.

Following are the simple and unique objectives falling in international relations.

• In order to demilitarize Antarctica: Make Antarctica devoid of any nuclear tests, absence of any radioactive waste materials disposal site. Additionally, to achieve the aim of maintaining peace and harmony.
• In Antarctica for the promotion of scientific cooperation on an international level.
• To resolve any disputes, debates and issues arising over territorial sovereignty.

Conclusion

The significant contribution of the eminent world space agency NASA is ANITA, colloquially known as Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna. This instrumental device is referred to as a radio telescope with its utility in detection of neutrinos, present in cosmic rays possessing ultra-high energy. ANITA has completed four flights of Antarctica continent and achieved its purpose to detect an array of cosmos emerging from the sky in the experimental field. The formulation of radio waves are due to the showers of cosmic rays which then undergo reflection from the surface of the ice before striking the antenna of ANITA.