Gamma Ray Astronomy and Particle Astrophysics (Univ of Utah Group)

伽马射线天文学和粒子天体物理学（犹他大学集团）

• 批准号: 1207595
• 负责人: David Kieda
• 金额: $ 118.8万
• 依托单位: University of Utah
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-06-15 至 2016-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1207595&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Gamma; Ray; Astronomy; Particle; Astrophysics

Very High Energy (VHE) gamma-rays probe the most energetic non-thermal processes known in astrophysics, and provide a wealth of information regarding magnetic fields, shocks, radiation fields, and energetics in the source environment. VHE gamma-rays also enable research in fundamental particle astrophysics, including the study of candidate locations of high concentrations of Dark Matter and direct, sensitive searches for Lorentz Invariance Violation in the lepton sector. This umbrella award will continue support for the VHE gamma-ray astronomy research groups at the University of Utah (UU). The UU VERITAS group will carry out continuing observations and data analysis from the VERITAS Imagining Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope array, the world's most sensitive VHE gamma-ray observatory. An upgrade of the VERITAS cameras, led by the UU VERITAS group, will be installed and commissioned in mid-2012. This upgrade will result in substantial increases in sensitivity, and allow exploration of the energy regime below 100 GeV. The UU HAWC group will participate in the construction, commissioning, and operations of the HAWC Observatory, which is currently under construction near Sierra Negra, Mexico. The HAWC observatory will employ an array of 300 large Water Cherenkov Detectors deployed at high altitude that record the charged particles generated by VHE gamma-rays in the Earth's atmosphere. The group will perform synergistic, coordinated observations between VERITAS and HAWC, once the HAWC observatory is fully operational. Broader Impacts:This award will strengthen the UU VERITAS and HAWC groups' existing EPO initiatives on the local, state, and national level. During the past three years, the groups have developed and are now operating the Willard Eccles Observatory (WEO), at Frisco Peak, Utah. This robotic telescope performs multi-wavelength science observations and also provides public observing time to universities, colleges, and high schools throughout Utah. The groups have developed STEM outreach through mentorship of two high school FIRST robotics teams, and developed a statewide FIRST robotics program.

甚高能(VHE)伽马射线探测天体物理学中已知的最高能量的非热过程，并提供关于源环境中的磁场、激波、辐射场和能量学的丰富信息。VHE伽马射线还可以进行基本粒子天体物理学的研究，包括研究高密度暗物质的候选位置，以及直接、灵敏地搜索轻子区段的洛伦兹不变性破坏。这一总括奖项将继续支持犹他大学(UU)的VHE伽马射线天文学研究小组。UU Veritas小组将从Veritas Imaging大气切伦科夫望远镜阵列进行持续观测和数据分析，该阵列是世界上最灵敏的VHE伽马射线天文台。由UU Veritas集团牵头的Veritas摄像头的升级将于2012年年中安装并投入使用。这次升级将导致灵敏度的大幅提高，并允许探索低于100GeV的能量区域。UU HAWC小组将参与HAWC天文台的建设、调试和运营，该天文台目前正在墨西哥内格拉山脉附近建设中。HAWC天文台将使用部署在高海拔地区的300个大型水切伦科夫探测器阵列，记录地球大气中VHe伽马射线产生的带电粒子。一旦HAWC天文台完全投入使用，该小组将在VERITAS和HAWC之间进行协同、协调的观测。更广泛的影响：该奖项将加强UU Veritas和HAWC组织在地方、州和国家层面上现有的EPO倡议。在过去的三年里，这些组织开发并运营了位于犹他州弗里斯科峰的威拉德·埃克尔斯天文台(WEO)。这个机器人望远镜执行多波长的科学观测，还为犹他州的大学、学院和高中提供公共观测时间。这些团体通过指导两个高中First机器人团队开展了STEM外联活动，并开发了全州第一机器人计划。