The Highest Energy Astroparticle Physics

申请编号：0758017机构：芝加哥大学项目：物理粒子天体物理学项目负责人：Olinto， Angela v .标题：高能天体粒子物理学摘要这是一份关于芝加哥大学（UC）继续参与皮埃尔·奥格天文台（PAO）的提案。该天文台的目的是研究迄今为止观测到的最高能量粒子的起源和性质，即能量大于10^19 eV的宇宙射线，通过测量它们的能量、组成和到达方向的分布，并进行大量统计和仔细控制系统效应。位于阿根廷Malargue的Southern PAO即将完工，它是第一个混合探测器，结合了两种最先进的测量超高能量宇宙射线（uhecr）引起的阵雨的技术。天文台通过表面阵列探测到达表面的星雨粒子，并通过大气中产生的荧光探测星雨的纵向发展。这种组合对于精确的能量测量和可靠的成分研究至关重要。加州大学将理论、观察和实验整合在一起，使学生参与到科学的各个方面：从PAO的构建和操作到数据的分析，这对研究目标和对学生的培养都大有裨益。该项目将巩固UC在PAO数据分析和解释方面的国际领导地位。高能粒子起源的发现将影响天体物理学和粒子物理学。南方PAO对从阿根廷到越南等全球参与国的公共教育和外联活动产生了重大影响。加州大学与奥格游客中心、马拉格天文馆和阿德勒天文馆合作，通过推广加州大学开发的最高能量雨、探测方法和可能的宇宙起源的3D和2D可视化，加强了物理学和天体物理学教育内容的深度和公众宣传工作。该小组将与美国自然历史博物馆合作，出版一份《科学公报》，进一步向公众提供了解这个迷人谜团的途径。

PROPOSAL NUMBER: 0758017INSTITUTION: University of ChicagoNSF PROGRAM: PHY - PARTICLE ASTROPHYSICSPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Olinto, Angela V.TITLE: The Highest Energy Astroparticle Physics ABSTRACTThis is a proposal to continue the participation of the University of Chicago (UC) in the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO). The observatory is designed to study the origin and nature of the highest energy particles ever observed, namely cosmic rays with energies greater than 10^19 eV, by measuring their energy, their composition, and the distribution of arrival directions with large statistics and careful control of systematic effects. The Southern PAO, nearing completion in Malargue, Argentina, is the first hybrid detector to combine the two best-developed techniques of measuring showers caused by ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). The observatory detects shower particles that reach the surface with a surface array and the longitudinal development of the shower through the fluorescence produced in the atmosphere. This combination is essential for accurate energy measurements and reliable composition studies. The integration of theory, observations, and experiments at UC into a single effort has greatly benefited both the research goals and the training of students by involving them in all aspects of science: from the construction and operation of the PAO to the analysis of its data. This project will solidify the international leadership in the analysis and interpretation of the PAO data at UC.The discovery of the origin of the highest energy particles will impact both astrophysics and particle physics. The Southern PAO has had a major impact on public education and outreach throughout the participating countries across the globe: from Argentina to Vietnam. In collaboration with the Auger Visitors Center, the Malargue Planetarium, and the Adler Planetarium, the UC effort strengthens the depth of physics and astrophysics content of the education and public outreach efforts by promoting the 3D and 2D visualizations developed at UC of the highest energy showers, their detection methods, and possible cosmic origins. In collaboration with the American Natural History Museum, the group will develop a Science Bulletin that will further provide the public access to this fascinating mystery.