Operations of VERITAS in the Epoch 2011 to 2014

2011 年至 2014 年 VERITAS 的运营情况

• 批准号: 1205389
• 负责人: Wystan Benbow
• 金额: $ 142.5万
• 依托单位: Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-10-01 至 2017-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1205389&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Operations; VERITAS; Epoch; 2011; 2014

The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) began full-scale operations in September 2007 and completed a telescope upgrade in the summer of 2012. This award funds ongoing maintenance and operation of both the telescopes and the array facility over a 3-year period. VERITAS seeks to both identify new sources of Very High Energy (VHE: E 100 Gigaelectron-volt) gamma rays, and to perform in-depth studies of the known sources to better understand their underlying fundamental processes. The primary targets of VERITAS Galactic observations are supernova remnants, pulsars, binary systems, and known VHE sources whose classification is currently unknown. The extragalactic targets observed by VERITAS include active galactic nuclei, radio galaxies, starburst galaxies, galaxy clusters and gamma-ray bursts. In addition, Local Group galaxies, dwarf galaxies and globular clusters are targets of VERITAS observations focused on the indirect detection of cold dark matter. VERITAS is currently the most-sensitive VHE gamma-ray observatory in the world. After 6-years of operation, the experiment is well-understood and promised performance metrics of the experiment (e.g. total data yield and data quality) are achieved or surpassed. Continued operations of VERITAS for this funding cycle are expected to result in new gamma-ray science. Broader Impact and Outreach: The VERITAS collaboration is involved in public engagement as an important element of its research program. The Adler Planetarium and the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Visitors Center at the VERITAS site coordinate activities, websites and public displays to promote VERITAS science to the public, other educators, museum professionals and the wider community. VERITAS scientists provide education and public outreach experiences in the form of multimedia products, public presentations and activities such as classroom visits, an annual public lecture series, "star parties" at the observatory, and tours of the experiment.

极高能量辐射成像望远镜阵列系统（VERITAS）于2007年9月开始全面运行，并于2012年夏天完成了望远镜升级。该合同为望远镜和阵列设备的持续维护和运行提供资金，为期3年。VERITAS寻求发现超高能（VHE: E 100千兆电子伏特）伽马射线的新来源，并对已知来源进行深入研究，以更好地了解其潜在的基本过程。VERITAS银河观测的主要目标是超新星遗迹，脉冲星，双星系统，以及目前未知分类的已知VHE源。VERITAS观测到的星系外目标包括活动星系核、射电星系、星暴星系、星系团和伽马射线暴。此外，本星系群、矮星系和球状星团是VERITAS观测的目标，重点是间接探测冷暗物质。VERITAS是目前世界上最灵敏的VHE伽玛射线天文台。经过6年的运行，实验得到了很好的理解，并达到或超过了实验承诺的性能指标（如总数据产量和数据质量）。VERITAS在这一资助周期内的持续运作有望产生新的伽马射线科学。更广泛的影响和推广：VERITAS的合作将公众参与作为其研究计划的重要组成部分。阿德勒天文馆和弗雷德劳伦斯惠普尔天文台游客中心在VERITAS网站协调活动、网站和公众展示，向公众、其他教育工作者、博物馆专业人员和更广泛的社区推广VERITAS科学。VERITAS的科学家们以多媒体产品、公开演讲和课堂参观、年度公共讲座系列、天文台的“明星派对”和实验参观等活动的形式提供教育和公众宣传体验。