MAKE: Blog: Detecting Cosmic Rays on planes

Detecting Cosmic Rays on planes

On my flight today, I was chatting with a fellow who worked on CO2 lasers-- since I happen to have my USB Radiation detector I figured this would be a good opportunity to detect the Cosmic rays coming in to the plane with interested parties. It worked (photo here). The detector picked up 80, 120 and 240 Muon Count Rate (cpm). I haven't dumped all the data and looked it up yet- seems harmless of course, but it was really neat to detect stuff while high above the clouds at 20,000 feet. When I get time, I'll map the data with GPS, Sat photos and altitude- kinda like war driving for radiation.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 23, 2005 02:11 PM
| Permalink | Comments (8)

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Isn't using GPS on an airplane illegal?

Posted by: NessieVL on February 23, 2005 at 3:55 PM

yeahh.. I think it is.

Posted by: Gabriel82 on February 23, 2005 at 4:12 PM

i meant match up the route, not using a gps on a plane :-]

cheers,
pt

Posted by: philliptorrone on February 23, 2005 at 4:24 PM

I can't imagine why it would be illegal while cruising. GPS are receivers not xmtrs. Probably like all elex stuff - not allowed during takeoff / landing.

Posted by: CharlieK on February 23, 2005 at 7:21 PM

Is makezine available at Barnes&Noble or some other store?

Posted by: Gabriel82 on February 23, 2005 at 7:28 PM

I think if they allow GPS on planes, the terrorists win.

Posted by: NessieVL on February 24, 2005 at 1:40 PM

bla, bla, terrorists...

I want to know about the USB Radiation detector, like a url or diy kinda thing.

And more detailed info...

Posted by: dss902 on February 24, 2005 at 6:59 PM

I've done this as well: Geiger Counter

Posted by: DeanW.Armstrong on April 27, 2005 at 1:58 PM

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