Interactions News Wire #73-04
17 December 2004
http://www.interactions.org
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Source: INFN
Content: Press Release
Date Issued: December 17, 2004
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PRESS RELEASE
December, 17 2004


Stratospheric Balloon launched from Antarctica's McMurdo base: aboard
Cream, an experiment for the study of cosmic rays

A stratospheric balloon of Nasa was launched yesterday, December 16 at
1.28 a.m. Italian time from the Antarctica's McMurdo base. The balloon
raised Cream (Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass) experiment up to 40
kilometres of height. In the experiment, coordinated by Eun Suk Seo of
Maryland University, participate American universities (Maryland, Chicago,
Penn State, Ohio), South Korea universities (Ewa, KyungPook) and an
Italian group of Pisa, Siena, and Torino departments of the Italian
Institute for Nuclear Physics (Infn), directed by Pier Simone Marrocchesi.

The balloon, following circulation of winds high quote, will sail around
the ice continent for about three weeks. During this time, data of great
scientific interest will be gathered. These data concern flows of charged
particles of highest energy (cosmic rays) coming from Space.

Cream experiment was conceived in particular to investigate the origin of
cosmic rays and their acceleration mechanisms: two questions that are
still waiting for a definite answer, in spite of the enormous advancements
carried out in this field since 1912. At that time Victor Hess, thanks to
his pioneer balloon flights, was the first to show the existence of
radiation coming from Space.


Deepening and photos relating the balloon launch are available at the web
page
http://www.unisi.it/fisica/cream/

For further information
Barbara Gallavotti, Chief of the Office for Communication of National
Institute of Nuclear Physics
Telephone: + 39 06 6868162; +39 335 6606075