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资金，该小组是望远镜阵列（TA）实验的主办单位。TA是一个大型的国际性奋进，位于犹他州中部，靠近三角洲镇，旨在研究超？高能宇宙射线高分辨率飞？该集团之前的成功企业HiRes的眼睛（HiRes）观察到了期待已久的GZK削减？由于与微波背景的相互作用而在光谱中偏离。俄歇天文台的第一批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首先是如何加速的问题是当今粒子天体物理学中最重要的话题之一。一个可疑的来源是活动星系核（AGN），它是宇宙中已知的最具活力的物体之一。有诱人的暗示与BL Lac对象的相关性，这些对象是AGN，它们的喷流指向我们。TA实验借鉴了HiRes非常成功的经验，并利用了荧光望远镜，这是犹他州小组开发的一项技术。TA是一个与世界的混合实验？TA是美国最大的表面闪烁体阵列，用于测量大范围空气簇射到达地球时的足迹，并与多个荧光望远镜观测站一起测量上方空间的簇射。在今年晚些时候完成调试后，TA将成为北方最灵敏的宇宙射线探测器。该小组计划继续开展活动，支持探测器的安装、调试和运行。凭借在HiRes方面的丰富经验，该小组还在TA数据分析方面发挥主导作用，特别是荧光分析。ASPIRE是一个整合研究和教育的天体物理科学项目。自1997年以来，ASPIRE一直在创建一些网络？最吸引人和互动的科学课程和实验室，并提供直接推广到地区教师，学生和公众。这些努力包括为当地团体提供外展和支持，为学生举办夏季讲习班，以及访问犹他州米勒德和三角洲等农村学校。作为一个推广计划，ASPIRE已经能够有效和负担得起的有一个很大的影响，为一些学生和教育工作者。

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.