GeV-TeV Gamma Ray Astronomy and Cosmic Ray Physics with Whipple/VERITAS

GeV-TeV 伽马射线天文学和宇宙射线物理学与 Whipple/VERITAS

• 批准号: 0099580
• 负责人: David Kieda
• 金额: $ 64万
• 依托单位: University of Utah
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-08-01 至 2006-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0099580&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: GeV; TeV; Gamma; Ray; Astronomy

This research will support efforts by the University of Utah Gamma Ray Astronomy Group in observational investigations of high energy astrophysical phenomena using the Whipple and VERITAS ground based telescopes. Both of these instruments use the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov imaging Telescope (IACT) technique to record the faint flashes of optical light emitted by gamma rays as they interact with the Earth's atmosphere. The University of Utah will participate in the operation and analysis of data from the existing Whipple observatory, as well as participate in the design, construction, operation, and analysis of the new VERITAS observatory, supported by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Smithsonian Institution as well as by international agencies in England, Ireland, and Canada. The success of the IACT technique has led to the founding of a new field of astrophysics: Very High Energy (VHE) gamma ray astronomy, which has provided numerous contributions to many fields of astrophysics and fundamental physics. Discovery of gamma-ray emission from super massive black holes in nearby galaxies has led to new understanding of the energetic processes occurring in these objects, and have also allowed study of infra-red radiation fields generated by galaxy formation in the early universe. The unknown origin of Galactic cosmic rays may be directly probed to their source through gamma ray emission at their source objects such supernova remnants. The nature of our three-dimensional space and time and the possible presence of additional dimensions may also be studied using VHE gamma rays. This research will support observational activities with VERITAS and Whipple, with an emphasis on these studying extragalactic infrared radiation fields, searching for the missing `dark matter' in our Galaxy, searching for evidence of extra dimensions associated with quantum gravity, and exploring new techniques for high-resolution observations of nuclear cosmic rays.The University of Utah Gamma Ray Group will design and construct the calibration, Level 1 trigger, and Cables/Connectors systems for the VERITAS Observatory. The University of Utah plays a major role in the simulation and analysis efforts associated with the VERITAS and Whipple science goals. Utah will develop detailed simulations of Whipple and VERITAS detector response, and use these simulations to optimize observing strategies, electronic triggering configurations, and analysis procedures. The Utah gamma ray Group will also provide these simulations to the Whipple/VERITAS collaboration for use in scientific analysis of the VHE gamma ray observations. The University of Utah Gamma Ray group will participate in Educational Outreach programs at the community, University, and State/National levels. This support will continue these existing activities and enhance them through development of the University of Utah as an educational outreach node associated with an Education/Public Outreach Initiative under development for VERITAS.

这项研究将支持犹他州大学伽马射线天文组利用维普莱和VERITAS地面望远镜对高能天体物理现象进行观测研究的努力。 这两种仪器都使用成像大气切伦科夫成像望远镜（IACT）技术来记录伽马射线与地球大气相互作用时发出的微弱闪光。犹他州大学将参与现有维普莱天文台数据的运行和分析，并参与新VERITAS天文台的设计、建造、运行和分析，该天文台得到了国家科学基金会、美国能源部、史密森学会以及英格兰、爱尔兰和加拿大的国际机构的支持。IACT技术的成功导致了一个新的天体物理学领域的建立：甚高能伽马射线天文学，它为天体物理学和基础物理学的许多领域做出了许多贡献。发现邻近星系中的超大质量黑洞发射伽马射线，使人们对这些物体中发生的高能过程有了新的认识，也使人们能够研究早期宇宙中星系形成所产生的红外辐射场。银河系宇宙射线的未知来源可以通过超新星遗迹等源天体的伽马射线发射直接探测到它们的来源。我们的三维空间和时间的性质以及可能存在的额外维度也可以使用VHE伽马射线进行研究。 这项研究将支持VERITAS和维普莱的观测活动，重点是研究河外红外辐射场，寻找银河系中缺失的“暗物质”，寻找与量子引力有关的额外维度的证据，并探索高分辨率观测核宇宙射线的新技术。犹他州大学伽马射线小组将设计和建造校准，VERITAS Observatory的1级触发器和电缆/连接器系统。犹他州大学在与VERITAS和维普莱科学目标相关的模拟和分析工作中发挥着重要作用。 犹他州将开发维普莱和VERITAS探测器响应的详细模拟，并使用这些模拟来优化观测策略、电子触发配置和分析程序。犹他州伽马射线小组还将向维普莱/VERITAS协作提供这些模拟，用于对甚高能量辐射伽马射线观测进行科学分析。 犹他州大学伽马射线小组将参与社区、大学和州/国家层面的教育推广计划。 这一支助将继续开展这些现有活动，并通过将犹他州大学发展成为与正在为VERITAS制定的教育/公共外联倡议有关的教育外联中心来加强这些活动。