ИСТИНА

In 2020-21 pair of muon telescopes were installed at the cosmic ray stations in Apatity and Barentsburg (Spitsbergen). The instrument designed to detect charged particles in the energy range above 300 MeV in a narrow solid angle near zenith. It corresponds to primary particles with energies above ~5 GeV coming from directions close to the north pole of the ecliptic. The telescopes have a 10 cm lead layer between the scintillation plates. The telescopes are included in cosmic ray monitoring systems at Apatity and Barentsburg stations. The analysis of muon telescope data revealed variations which differ from neutron monitor variations on these stations. We consider it to be a reason that acceptance cones (ACs) of the neutron monitors differ significantly from telescopes ones. ACs of neutron monitors are lower than 50 latitude degrees. ACs of the muon telescopes are close to geometrical viewing of the telescopes. Therefore Barentsburg muon telescope near the North Pole can be the better set to cosmic ray monitoring near the north pole of the ecliptic.