Monitoring galactic and solar cosmic rays for astrophysical research and space weather applications

The RAYCO project is to monitor cosmic rays, i.e. protons and nuclei of high energy (>450 MeV) that impinge continuously onto the atmosphere of the Earth. The aim is (1) to provide data for the worldwide network of neutron monitors, where each instrument is sensitive to an arrival direction and an energy range that depends on its location; (2) to conduct research on relativistic protons and nuclei accelerated in solar eruptive events, (3) to support space weather applications, in particular the evaluation of radiation doses induced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere of the Earth, and to improve the models used by the SIEVERT system (DGAC-French civil aircraft authority; IRSN – French institute for radio protection and nuclear safety) to evaluate radiation doses received by civil air crew.