Development of a telescope for cosmic muon flux and density measurements

This project is based on the building of a compact telescope based on small and gastight Glass Resistive Gas Chambers (”minigRPC”) and is aimed at performing a feasibility study of possible research on Mars geology. The first part of the project will be a simulation optimizing parameters for the detector conception. The second part will be the construction of a miniRPC prototype with the ideal parameters taken from simulation, on which some tests will be performed. The third part will consist of the collection of in-field data at theMDRS, and its analysis. The goal will then be to make a study of the muon flux generated by interactions of primary cosmic rays and, if time allows,to proceed to a radiography or tomography (3D) of the landscape (mountains, hills, etc.) of the Utah desert with ”muography. This technique is very interesting for planets exploration because, for example, we could radiograph Mars and characterize its interior and tell about the planet evolutionary state and history as well as even finding some places geologically well-adapted places for future colony implantation.