A review of the recent results from the GRAPES-3 experiment

© 2017 COSPAR The GRAPES-3 experiment is a compact, high density extensive air shower (EAS) array of ∼400 scintillator detectors operating in conjunction with a 560 m2 tracking muon telescope with a threshold of Eμ>1 GeV. It is being operated in Ooty, India since 1 January 2000. The implementation of precise corrections for the effects of the variation in the pressure, and temperature of the atmosphere has permitted the muon telescope to deliver an accurate estimate of the intensity of the galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) as a function of direction. The muon telescope has been successfully used to study acceleration of muons during large thunderstorm events. The discovery of the transient weakening of Earth's magnetic field through the detection of a muon burst was undoubtedly the highlight of the GRAPES-3 experiment. At present the expansion of the muon telescope is ongoing to increase its area by 570 m2 to significantly enhance its capability.