Relativistic Image Doubling in Astronomical Cherenkov Detectors

A novel type of apparent relativistic kinematics may soon become detectable in Earth-based astronomical Cherenkov detectors. When a charged particle moving near the speed of light in vacuum enters a dense medium such as water, it not only creates Cherenkov light, but two diverging Cherenkov-emitting "images" of the particle. The two images will suddenly appear along the path of the particle, an event usually identified with a Cherenkov Ring. One particle image will subsequently proceed along the direction of motion of the particle, while the other image will appear to move backwards along the earlier path of motion. Capturing evidence of both Cherenkov-emitting images has not yet been done, to the best of the author's knowledge, but should be possible. Perceived pair events and image-doubled trajectories carry information about the charged particle's direction and deceleration beyond that of recording the time and location of a Cherenkov ring. Astrophysics-oriented observatories that monitor tanks and basins of water for Cherenkov radiation and might be adaptable to detecting relativistic and superluminal image doubling include Auger, HAWC, Ice-Cube and Super-Kamiokande.