3 ms·

> For this detection channel, there isn't too much special about Antarctica What about for the Askaryan channel?

• cozzyd 8y ago
  For the Askaryan channel you want a dense dielectric material (dense to have a big target, dielectric so tht radio can propagate). On Earth, that means glacial ice, sand or salt. Antarctica has a lot of ice.
  • dukwon 8y ago
    Is sea water unsuitable?
    • wnoise 8y ago
      Yes, it's pretty much the opposite of a dielectric. It's a good conductor with mobile charges, and cannot support any polarization.
      • dukwon 8y ago
        But it's good enough for ANTARES/KM3NET to see Cherenkov light, which I believe requires a dielectric medium.
        • cozzyd 8y ago
          The problem is that radio doesn't propagate well in sea water (since it's conductive) so you can't observe the interaction from far away in the radio.
          • dukwon 8y ago
            Gotcha, thanks.