SSHCZO -- Soil Moisture -- COSMOS Probe -- Shale Hills -- (2011-2016)

The COsmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (COSMOS) involves measuring low-energy cosmic-ray neutrons above the ground, whose intensity is inversely correlated with soil water content and with water in any form above ground level (Note: the contributions from subsurface and surface waters are distinguishable). The instrument, called a 'cosmic-ray moisture probe,' is brand new, but it is built on existing technologies that are put together in an innovative way. The use of such tried and tested technologies means the instrument and the technique are less likely to fail when deployed. It is proposed to use this novel technique to measure soil moisture content (and/or snow/vegetation water) in a network of 500 cosmicray water probes installed across the USA. Most probes will be installed in existing facilities, which will simplify the logistics, make the probes secure, and facilitate long-term operations and maintenance. The following data will be available to all in near-real time over the internet: neutron counts in two energy bands (fast, > 1 keV; and thermal, < 0.5 eV), soil water content, snow pack water equivalent (and possibly also vegetation water equivalent), temperature, pressure and relative humidity. The deployment will be in two phases: (1) Years 1-2: 50 probes, to identify and rectify any remnant technical issues associated with routine field use of the instrument; to identify and rectify any data collection, processing and distribution issues; and to better understand probe responses over different terranes and vegetations; (2) Years 3-5: 450 probes forming the COSMOS network. The facility will continue operating indefinitely after deployment, perhaps under the auspices of a government agency, to provide data on a continuing basis. (Text from COSMOS project web site at the University of Arizona - see external link.)
Date Range Comments: End Date should always be current day. Posted End Date is last time this page was edited.

宇宙射线土壤湿度观测系统（COSMOS）涉及对地面以上低能宇宙射线中子的测量，其强度与土壤水分含量以及地面以上任何形式的水含量呈负相关（注：地下和地表水的贡献可区分）。该仪器被称为‘宇宙射线湿度探测器’，虽然是一项全新技术，但其构建基于现有技术的创新组合。采用此类经过验证的技术意味着仪器和技术在部署时出现故障的可能性较小。提议利用这一新颖技术，在遍布美国的500个宇宙射线水分探测器网络中测量土壤水分含量（以及/或雪/植被水分）。大多数探测器将安装在现有设施中，这将简化物流、确保探测器的安全性，并便于长期运营和维护。以下数据将通过互联网在近实时状态下对所有用户开放：两个能带（快中子，>1 keV；热中子，<0.5 eV）的中子计数、土壤水分含量、积雪水当量（可能还包括植被水当量）、温度、压力和相对湿度。部署将分为两个阶段：（1）第1-2年：50个探测器，以识别和纠正与仪器常规野外使用相关的任何遗留技术问题；识别和纠正任何数据收集、处理和分发问题；以及更好地理解探测器在不同地台和植被中的响应；（2）第3-5年：450个探测器组成COSMOS网络。设施在部署后将持续无限期运行，或许在政府机构的监督下，以持续提供数据。（文本来自亚利桑那大学COSMOS项目网站，请参阅外部链接。)