Particle Astrophysics at the Energy Frontier with the Auger Observatory

项目编号：0758082机构：美国俄亥俄州立大学研究基金会项目：物理-粒子天体物理学项目负责人：Beatty， James j .标题：俄格天文台在能量前沿的粒子天体物理学摘要皮埃尔·奥格天文台（PAO）是一个旨在研究最高能量宇宙射线的国际项目。宇宙中这些能量最高的粒子非常罕见，阐明它们起源的奥秘是现代天体物理学的关键挑战之一。它们与宇宙微波背景相互作用，正如1966年由格雷森、扎策平和库兹明所指出的那样。结果是，能量为~10**20 eV的宇宙射线在宇宙距离上被强烈衰减，而接近~50 Mpc的源预计将占主导地位。PAO是一种采用表面探测器和空气荧光技术的大型混合探测器，在阿根廷即将完工。俄亥俄州立集团在表面探测器电子链的设计、集成、调试和管理方面发挥了关键作用，并在探测器触发器和自动探测器校准方案的开发中发挥了主导作用。他们的分析工作得益于他们对地面探测器的设计和操作的详细了解，他们计划继续支持探测器的操作和维护，并参与俄歇数据的分析。该组织一直积极参与公众活动，并为学生和其他人提供机会，让他们了解与宇宙射线有关的迷人科学，他们参观了美国和阿根廷的设施。他们通过与当地一所高中的合作，参与了一项教育和推广计划，向学生介绍宇宙射线的研究。

PROPOSAL NUMBER: 0758082INSTITUTION: Ohio State University Research FoundationNSF PROGRAM: PHY - PARTICLE ASTROPHYSICSPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Beatty, James J.TITLE: Particle Astrophysics at the Energy Frontier with the Auger Observatory ABSTRACTThe Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) is an international project aimed at the study of the highest energy cosmic rays. These highest energy particles in the Universe are very rare, and the elucidation of the mystery of their origin is one of the key challenges in modern astrophysics. They interact with the cosmic microwave background, as noted in 1966 by Greisen, Zatzepin and Kuz'min. As a result, cosmic rays with energies of ~10**20 eV are strongly attenuated over cosmological distances, and sources nearer than ~50 Mpc are expected to be dominant. The PAO, a large hybrid detector employing both the surface detector and air fluorescence techniques, is nearing completion in Argentina. The Ohio State group has played a key role in the design, integration, commissioning, and management of the surface detector electronics chain and has played a leading role in the development of the detector trigger and the automated detector calibration scheme. Their analysis efforts benefit from their detailed understanding of the design and operation of the surface detector and they plan to continue their activities in support of detector operation and maintenance, and participation in the analysis of the Auger data. The group has been active in engaging the public and providing opportunities for understanding the fascinating science involved in cosmic rays, by conducting tours of facilities both in the U.S. and in Argentina for schoolchildren and others. They are engaged in a program of education and outreach through a partnership with a local high school, where they are introducing students to cosmic ray research.