Install HiSPARC

The installation of the HiSPARC software is simple. We use one installation package that installs all necessary software on the HiSPARC detector PCs. Namely two programs to read the HiSPARC electronics and a possible weather station, as well as programs that download updates, monitor the status and send the measurement data to the central storage. Be careful that there is not an old version of the HiSPARC software installed on the PC, that can cause problems!

More details on HiSPARC's software and hardware can be found here: HiSPARC Station Documentation

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HiSPARC Data Collection

The measurement data from the HiSPARC detectors are collected by the computer at the measuring station and regularly sent in packets to the HiSPARC server at the University of Utah's Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC), previously located at the Science Park in Amsterdam. There is a server to store the raw data, a server with the derived data, and of course there is a server for internet applications.

HiSPARC data
Two types of data can be distinguished:

• Data from the measuring stations, such as the condition of the measuring station, can be found on HiSPARC data . Maintenance manuals are available. The following information is important for the interpretation of measurement data:
  • the location of the GPS antenna
  • the location of the detectors in relation to this antenna
  • the tensions of the PMT
• Data from the measurements per detector
  • the height (actual) depth of the measured pulse
  • the area of the measured pulse
  • the time of the measured pulse

For a proper interpretation of the HiSPARC data, both species must be considered. This can be done, for example, in class with the jSparc computer practical.

Available Jupyter notebooks

• 01 python data retrieval This notebook allows you to retrieve measurement data from a selected station for a period of time.
• 02 HiSPARC API This notebook can be used to retrieve data from the stations.