Testing of Threshold SiO _2 -Aerogel Cherenkov Detectors Using Cosmic Rays

method for testing threshold SiO _2 -aerogel Cherenkov detectors using cosmic radiation is described. The implementation requires a minimal amount of additional electronics and does not involve massive absorber layers (such as lead, etc.). The method allows for accurate determination of the efficiency of the investigated detectors and for the study of the detectors’ operation in different energy intervals for relativistic particles.