The CRAYFIS initiative aims to utilize smartphones as a network for observing ultra-high energy cosmic rays, leveraging the CMOS sensors in smartphone cameras to detect muons and high-energy photons. The project, proposed by Daniel Whiteson and colleagues, emphasizes the potential of a large number of active smartphones to create a powerful ground detector array. Concerns regarding privacy and surveillance are noted, but the initiative's scientific value is highlighted as significant if user adoption targets are achieved.
PREREQUISITESAstronomers, astrophysics researchers, mobile app developers, and anyone interested in citizen science and the implications of technology in scientific research.
[/size]We propose a novel approach for observing cosmic rays at ultra-high energy (>1018~eV) by repurposing the existing network of smartphones as a ground detector array. Extensive air showers generated by cosmic rays produce muons and high-energy photons, which can be detected by the CMOS sensors of smartphone cameras. The small size and low efficiency of each sensor is compensated by the large number of active phones. We show that if user adoption targets are met, such a network will have significant observing power at the highest energies.
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