Particle Astrophysics at the Energy Frontier at Auger South

南部的Pierre Auger天文台是一个3000平方公里的混合型宇宙线探测器，位于阿根廷马拉盖附近。它由1600个水切伦科夫表面探测器阵列和四个荧光探测器站点组成，现已完全完成并投入使用。这一奖项将使一个专注于从该探测器获得最大科学回报的研究计划成为可能。这个小组试图解决的关键科学问题包括：[1]什么天体产生最高能量的宇宙射线？[2]通过观察宇宙线可以得出银河系和银河系外磁场的什么约束？[3]最高能量宇宙线的组成是什么？[4]初级宇宙线的相互作用是否与现有的高能相互作用模型一致，或者是否有新的粒子物理学的迹象？该小组数据分析的一个重点领域包括研究银河系磁场对宇宙线到达方向的影响，以及这对银河场模型、宇宙线起源和组成的影响。另一个研究领域是作为宇宙线组成和相互作用的探测器的阵雨深度、最大阵雨和相关阵雨变量的分布。他们还致力于研究空气淋浴产生的微波韧致辐射，作为一种可能的新检测技术，使荧光类测量成为可能。该小组参与了对俄亥俄州中部高中生的推广工作，这有助于学生对攻读STEM学科的大学学位感兴趣。奥格尔项目是真正的国际性项目，有助于科学领域的国际合作和理解。

The southern Pierre Auger Observatory is a 3000 square km hybrid cosmic ray detector located near Malargüe, Argentina. It consists of an array of 1600 water Cherenkov surface detectors together with four fluorescence detector sites, and is now fully completed and commissioned. This award will enable a research program focused on maximizing the scientific payoff from this detector. Key scientific questions that this group is attempting to address include:[1] What astrophysical objects produce the highest energy cosmic rays?[2] What constraints can be derived on Galactic and extragalactic magnetic fields from observations of cosmic rays?[3] What is the composition of the highest energy cosmic rays?[4] Are the interactions of the cosmic ray primaries consistent with existing models of high-energy interactions, or are there hints of new particle physics?One area of emphasis in the group's data analysis includes studies of the effect of Galactic magnetic fields on cosmic ray arrival directions and the implications of this for Galactic field models, cosmic ray origins, and composition. Another area of study is the distribution of the depth of shower maximum and related shower variables as probes of cosmic ray composition and interactions. They are also working on the study of microwave bremsstrahlung from air showers as a possible new detection technique that would enable 24/7 fluorescence-like measurements.The group is involved in outreach efforts to central Ohio high school students, which has contributed to student interest in pursuing college degrees in STEM disciplines. The Auger project is truly international, and contributes to international cooperation and understanding in the sciences.