Very High Energy Particle Astrophysics with VERITAS

宇宙是无数以伽马射线能量发射电磁辐射的源的宿主。这些非常高能量的光子是在涉及粒子的过程中产生的，这些粒子的能量超出了任何地面加速器的能力。因此，伽马射线观测可以用来研究宇宙中的最高能量现象。有了这个奖项，明尼苏达大学的团队将继续他们与Veritas伽马射线天文台的工作。通过该奖项资助的活动将有助于维持VERITAS的能力和敏感性。这项工作还将有助于研究已知的blazar和发现新的blazar，这是一类活跃的星系核。科学目标是研究在blazar中产生伽马射线发射的天体物理过程，以及与所观测到的超高能宇宙射线的起源之间的联系。明尼苏达大学的团队将通过该大学的本科生研究体验计划来指导本科生。该组织的成员将继续在当地天文俱乐部、高中和其他公共推广活动中介绍Veritas科学，例如每周在校园天文台举行的公众观察之夜。明尼苏达大学小组将采用的主要目标和方法包括：(1)开发改进的分析技术，包括实施多变量分析工具包和更好地重建光谱的新努力；(2)利用新的光谱分析技术对活动星系核进行科学分析，重点是定位blazar中的伽马射线发射源和了解超高能宇宙射线的来源；(3)与VERITAS合作协调多波长数据活动，包括与费米、冰立方和HAWC的努力；以及(4)校准和数据质量监测任务，包括通过详细研究大气条件对重建能量的影响来改进对仪器能量尺度的理解。

The Universe is host to myriad sources that emit electromagnetic radiation at gamma-ray energies. These very high energy photons are produced in processes involving particles with energies beyond the reach of any ground-based accelerator. Gamma-ray observations can therefore be used to study the highest energy phenomena in the Universe. With this award, the University of Minnesota group will continue their work with the VERITAS gamma-ray observatory. The activities funded through this award will contribute to maintaining the VERITAS capabilities and sensitivity. This work will also contribute to the study of known blazars and the discoveries of new blazars, a class of Active Galactic Nuclei. The scientific goals are to study the astrophysical processes that generate gamma-ray emission in blazars and the links to the origin of observed ultra-high energy cosmic rays. The University of Minnesota group will mentor undergraduate students through the university's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Members of the group will continue to present VERITAS science at local astronomy clubs, high schools and other public outreach events such as the weekly public observing nights at the campus observatory. The major objectives and methods to be employed by the University of Minnesota group include: (1) development of improved analysis techniques including implementation of a multivariate analysis toolkit and a new effort in better spectral reconstruction; (2) scientific analysis on Active Galactic Nuclei utilizing new spectral analysis techniques with a focus on locating the source of gamma-ray emission in blazars and understanding the origin of ultra-high energy cosmic rays; (3) coordination of multi-wavelength data campaigns in conjunction with VERITAS including efforts with Fermi, IceCube and HAWC; and (4) calibration and data quality monitoring tasks that include improvements on understanding of the instrument energy scale through a detailed study on the impact of atmospheric conditions on the reconstructed energy.