Baseline Support of the University of Utah Cosmic Ray Physics Group (including the Telescope Array)

该奖项将为犹他州宇宙射线小组提供基础支持，该小组是望远镜阵列（TA）实验的主办方。 TA 是一项大型国际项目，位于犹他州中部德尔塔镇附近，旨在研究超高能宇宙射线。高分辨率蝇眼 (HiRes) 是该小组之前的成功企业，它观察到了由于与微波背景相互作用而导致的光谱中期待已久的 GZK 截止。俄歇天文台的第一个数据现在似乎证实了这一点。然而，最高能量粒子的来源以及它们最初如何加速的问题是当今粒子天体物理学中最重要的主题之一。一个可疑的来源是活跃星系核（AGN），它是宇宙中已知的最具能量的天体之一。有一些诱人的迹象表明它们与 BL Lac 天体存在关联，这些天体是活动星系核，其喷流指向我们。 TA实验借鉴了HiRes非常成功的经验，并利用了犹他小组开发的荧光望远镜技术。 TA 是一项混合实验，使用世界上最大的表面闪烁体阵列测量大面积空气簇射到达地球时的足迹，并使用多个荧光望远镜天文台测量上方空间的簇射。今年晚些时候调试完成后，TA 将成为北半球最灵敏的宇宙射线探测器。该小组计划继续开展支持探测器安装、调试和操作的活动。凭借在 HiRes 方面的丰富经验，该小组在 TA 数据分析，特别是荧光分析方面也发挥着主导作用。ASPIRE 是集研究和教育于一体的天体物理科学项目。自 1997 年以来，ASPIRE 一直在创建一些网络上最具吸引力和互动性的科学课程和实验室，并为地区教师、学生和公众提供直接的服务。努力包括向当地团体提供外展和支持，为学生举办夏季研讨会，以及参观犹他州米勒德和三角洲等农村学校。作为一项外展计划，ASPIRE 能够有效且经济地为许多学生和教育工作者产生巨大影响。

This award will provide funds for the base support for the Utah Cosmic Ray group that serves as host to the Telescope Array (TA) experiment. TA is a large international endeavor, located in central Utah near the town of Delta, aimed at the study of Ultra?High Energy Cosmic Rays. The High Resolution Fly?s Eye (HiRes), the previous successful enterprise of this group, has observed the long anticipated GZK cut?off in the spectrum due to interactions with the microwave background. The first data from the Auger Observatory now appear to confirm this. However, the sources of the highest energy particles and questions about how they are accelerated in the first place are among the most important topics in particle astrophysics today. One suspected source is Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) which are among the most energetic objects known in the Universe. There are tantalizing hints of correlations with BL Lac objects which are AGNs with their jets pointed towards us. The TA experiment draws on the highly successful experience of HiRes and utilizes fluorescence telescopes, a technique developed by the Utah group. TA is a hybrid experiment with the world?s largest surface scintillator array measuring the footprint of the extensive air shower when it reaches the Earth and with multiple fluorescence telescope observatories measuring the shower in the space above.After commissioning finishes later this year, TA will be the most sensitive cosmic ray detector in the Northern Hemisphere. This group plans to continue their activities in support of detector installation, commissioning and operation. With extensive experience with HiRes, the group is also taking a lead role in the analysis of TA data, especially the fluorescence analysis.ASPIRE is the Astrophysics Science Project Integrating Research and Education. Since 1997, ASPIRE has been creating some of the Web?s most engaging and interactive science lessons and labs and provides direct outreach to area teachers, students, and the public. Efforts include providing outreach and support to local groups, running summer workshop sessions for students, and visits to rural schools such as those in Millard and Delta, UT. As an outreach program, ASPIRE has been able to effectively and affordably have a great impact for a number of students and educators.