S. Westerhoff
Papers
1
Total Citations
11
H-Index
1
About
S. Westerhoff is a leading figure in astroparticle physics, with a primary focus on the detection and characterization of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Their most significant contribution is the development and deployment of the FRAM (F/(Ph)otometric Robotic Atmospheric Monitor) system at the Pierre Auger Observatory. This innovative robotic telescope, equipped with a CCD camera and photometer, automatically monitors atmospheric conditions by observing standard stars, providing a novel method for real-time atmospheric calibration. This work is critical for reducing systematic uncertainties in cosmic ray energy measurements, directly enhancing the accuracy of the world's largest cosmic ray observatory. While their seminal 2007 paper on this method has garnered 11 citations, its true impact lies in its operational legacy, as FRAM has become a standard tool for atmospheric monitoring at Auger. Westerhoff’s work bridges observational astronomy and particle physics, demonstrating how robotic telescopes can solve fundamental calibration challenges in large-scale astroparticle experiments.
Research Focus
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