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From Ground to Space: An Overview of the JEM-EUSO Program for the Study of UHECRs and Astrophysical Neutrinos

Zbigniew Plebaniak

TL;DR

The paper surveys the JEM-EUSO program, detailing its ground-, balloon-, and space-based platforms used to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and astrophysical neutrinos via UV fluorescence and Cherenkov imaging from space. It highlights milestone pathfinder missions (EUSO-TA, EUSO-Balloon, EUSO-SPB1/SPB2, PBR, Mini-EUSO) that validate technology and methods, setting the stage for M-EUSO. It then outlines the M-EUSO concept as an ESA-led, large-aperture UV observatory with dual fluorescence and Cherenkov capabilities designed for near-uniform sky coverage and multi-messenger follow-up, including two observational modes to optimize UHECR and ντ detection. Finally, the work places JEM-EUSO within the broader multi-messenger landscape, emphasizing technology readiness (TRL ≥ 6) and the program’s role as a stepping-stone to future missions like POEMMA and K-EUSO, with significant implications for understanding the origin and nature of the most energetic particles in the Universe.

Abstract

The JEM-EUSO (Joint Exploratory Missions for Extreme Universe Space Observatory) collaboration is an international initiative studying ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and related phenomena. These particles, with energies exceeding 10$^{20}$~eV, provide insights into extreme astrophysical processes but remain challenging to detect due to their low flux. At the heart of JEM-EUSO's technology is an ultra-fast, highly sensitive UV camera capable of detecting EASs in the atmosphere with exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. A dedicated Cherenkov camera has been developed to evaluate the viability of the Earth-skimming technique from high altitudes. Fluorescence and Cherenkov detectors can be used together to create a hybrid detection surface. This innovative approach enables detailed studies of fluorescence and Cherenkov light from cosmic ray and neutrino interactions. The JEM-EUSO technology will allow for observations from space to significantly increase the exposure to these rare phenomena. The collaboration employs a multi-platform strategy with ground-based experiments like EUSO-TA calibrating detection systems and validating models, and balloon-borne missions such as EUSO-Balloon and EUSO-SPB1/SPB2 demonstrating observations from the stratosphere and testing technologies. Space-based missions, particularly Mini-EUSO on the ISS, have provided valuable data on UV backgrounds, TLEs, and meteoroids, as well as demonstrating the potential for future space-based detection. While we are developing a cross-platform methodology, we are ultimately moving towards space-based measurements. Future efforts include the POEMMA space mission, designed for stereoscopic observations of UHECRs and multi-messenger phenomena, the PBR experiment, which integrates radio detection and is scheduled to fly in 2027, and the M-EUSO satellite mission, proposed to ESA.

From Ground to Space: An Overview of the JEM-EUSO Program for the Study of UHECRs and Astrophysical Neutrinos

TL;DR

The paper surveys the JEM-EUSO program, detailing its ground-, balloon-, and space-based platforms used to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and astrophysical neutrinos via UV fluorescence and Cherenkov imaging from space. It highlights milestone pathfinder missions (EUSO-TA, EUSO-Balloon, EUSO-SPB1/SPB2, PBR, Mini-EUSO) that validate technology and methods, setting the stage for M-EUSO. It then outlines the M-EUSO concept as an ESA-led, large-aperture UV observatory with dual fluorescence and Cherenkov capabilities designed for near-uniform sky coverage and multi-messenger follow-up, including two observational modes to optimize UHECR and ντ detection. Finally, the work places JEM-EUSO within the broader multi-messenger landscape, emphasizing technology readiness (TRL ≥ 6) and the program’s role as a stepping-stone to future missions like POEMMA and K-EUSO, with significant implications for understanding the origin and nature of the most energetic particles in the Universe.

Abstract

The JEM-EUSO (Joint Exploratory Missions for Extreme Universe Space Observatory) collaboration is an international initiative studying ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and related phenomena. These particles, with energies exceeding 10~eV, provide insights into extreme astrophysical processes but remain challenging to detect due to their low flux. At the heart of JEM-EUSO's technology is an ultra-fast, highly sensitive UV camera capable of detecting EASs in the atmosphere with exceptional spatial and temporal resolution. A dedicated Cherenkov camera has been developed to evaluate the viability of the Earth-skimming technique from high altitudes. Fluorescence and Cherenkov detectors can be used together to create a hybrid detection surface. This innovative approach enables detailed studies of fluorescence and Cherenkov light from cosmic ray and neutrino interactions. The JEM-EUSO technology will allow for observations from space to significantly increase the exposure to these rare phenomena. The collaboration employs a multi-platform strategy with ground-based experiments like EUSO-TA calibrating detection systems and validating models, and balloon-borne missions such as EUSO-Balloon and EUSO-SPB1/SPB2 demonstrating observations from the stratosphere and testing technologies. Space-based missions, particularly Mini-EUSO on the ISS, have provided valuable data on UV backgrounds, TLEs, and meteoroids, as well as demonstrating the potential for future space-based detection. While we are developing a cross-platform methodology, we are ultimately moving towards space-based measurements. Future efforts include the POEMMA space mission, designed for stereoscopic observations of UHECRs and multi-messenger phenomena, the PBR experiment, which integrates radio detection and is scheduled to fly in 2027, and the M-EUSO satellite mission, proposed to ESA.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 8 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. EUSO-TA: A Ground-Based EUSO Laboratory
  3. Stratospheric Balloon Program
  4. Mini-EUSO: A Space-borne EUSO Mission
  5. Future Missions and the M-EUSO Project
  6. Instrument and Mission Design
  7. Scientific Objectives of M-EUSO
  8. Technological Readiness and Role in ESA's Multi-Messenger Strategy

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Scientific objectives of the various JEM-EUSO missions. For detailed descriptions, see the main text.
  • Figure 2: Focal surfaces of the latest EUSO detectors from EUSO-SPB2 mission. Left: Fluorescence camera composed of three PDMs, including together 108 multi-anode photomultiplier tubes, providing a total of 6912 pixels. The data are read out with a time resolution of 1 $\mu$s. Right: Cherenkov camera consisting of 512 pixels based on silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), operating with a time resolution of 10 ns.
  • Figure 3: Left: Temporal profiles of different events. Real signals measured at three time scales are shown alongside a simulated UHECR profile. Right: Partial map of the Earth's UV night sky reconstructed from Mini-EUSO data.