Designing a Gamma Ray and Cosmic Ray Detector for Outreach

While astrophysical gamma rays and cosmic rays do not reach the ground, they generate a shower of particles when they interact in the atmosphere. This shower then generates a brief, but bright, flash of Cherenkov light. The detection of the Cherenkov light is performed with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) which are incredibly large and sensitive instruments. I am developing a small-scale implementation of the IACT technique which can be used for outreach. This inexpensive (expected to be less than $1,000) device will be usable on clear dark nights to detect the signatures of gamma rays and cosmic rays. It will consist of two silicon photomultiplier pixels each at the focal point of a parabolic mirror. With proper setup, the device will trigger on Cherenkov light from gamma rays and cosmic rays. While focused for outreach, this device is designed for real astrophysics observations. I will present the concept for this project and ideas for its use engaging with local students and amateur astronomers.