2023 Abstract from Jensen and Brian

Muon Tomographic Imaging of Kukulkan Pyramid: Visualization and Analysis Website

Students: Jensen Coonradt, Brian Li

Scientist Mentors: Mark Adams, Dave Hoppert

Our project aimed to develop a comprehensive website dedicated to muon tomography, a non-invasive imaging technique utilizing cosmic ray muons, to explore the World Heritage site Kulkukan pyramid in Chichen, Itza Mexico. Muon tomography holds the potential to reveal hidden chambers within the pyramid without physical intrusion.

Muon tomography is a cutting-edge method that involves detecting cosmic ray muons, which are high-energy particles produced by cosmic ray interactions with the Earth's atmosphere. As muons travel through the pyramid, they experience varying levels of absorption, allowing scientists to map the internal density distribution of the structure. By capturing data from multiple angles, we reconstruct cross-sectional slices to generate a 3D representation of the pyramid's interior.

Our website serves as an information hub, providing information, visualizations, and enabling data analysis for this exciting muography-based project. Scientific collaborators can use the website to verify the quality of the collected data, fostering transparency and collaboration in the research process. Furthermore, the website will aid in commissioning the detector, ensuring accurate data collection for optimal results.

To engage the public, the website showcases 3D and 2D visualizations of the experimental set-up and muon detection events, making the complex technique accessible and comprehensible. For scientists, our website provides data analysis tools, such as histograms and charts, to assess the functioning of the detector quickly.

By combining the power of muon tomography with an accessible online platform, our project seeks to advance our understanding of the Kulkukan pyramid's internal structure while educating the public. The potential to unveil hidden chambers within this iconic pyramid opens new avenues for archaeological exploration and historical preservation.