RUI: Analysis of TeV Gamma-Rays from AGN and Dark Matter

RUI：来自 AGN 和暗物质的 TeV 伽马射线分析

• 批准号: 1506140
• 负责人: Jodi Christiansen
• 金额: $ 15.86万
• 依托单位: California Polytechnic State University Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-10-01 至 2020-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1506140&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Analysis; TeV; Gamma; Rays

Gamma-rays are the highest energy form of electromagnetic radiation. Observations of astrophysical gamma-rays serve as probes of physical conditions and processes in the most extreme environments throughout the Universe, and can be used to test fundamental physics. The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS), located in southern Arizona, is a ground-based observatory designed to study high energy gamma-rays. VERITAS has unique capabilities, providing high sensitivity pointed observations of both galactic and extragalactic sources. This award supports scientists at California Polytech State University to carry out research with VERITAS. The group will work on improved gamma-ray detection algorithms for VERITAS and use the improved sensitivity to study acceleration mechanisms in active galaxies and to search for dark matter. Undergraduates will be involved in the research. The group will work with the Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education to communicate the physics of black holes and high energy gamma-ray emission to students. They will also work with teachers in the Student Teacher and Research program and develop teaching supplements that can be used in middle school curricula.VERITAS has embarked upon a broad program of Galactic and extragalactic source observations, as well as studies of signatures for new physics such as dark matter. With this award the California Polytech State University group will work on improvements to the stereo reconstruction algorithm, focusing on the gamma-ray shower impact position, zenith, azimuth, shower height, and energy. Undergraduates in the group will use the improved detection algorithms to analyze blazar data. The group will study observations of dwarf galaxies to look for signatures of dark matter.

伽马射线是电磁辐射的最高能量形式。 对天体物理学伽马射线的观测可以作为整个宇宙中最极端环境中的物理条件和过程的探测器，并可用于测试基础物理学。 高能辐射成像望远镜阵列系统（VERITAS）位于亚利桑那州南部，是一个地面天文台，旨在研究高能伽马射线。 VERITAS具有独特的能力，可提供对银河系和河外来源的高灵敏度定点观测。 该奖项支持加州理工州立大学的科学家与VERITAS一起开展研究。 该小组将致力于改进VERITAS的伽马射线探测算法，并利用改进的灵敏度研究活动星系的加速机制和寻找暗物质。 本科生将参与研究。 该小组将与科学和数学教育卓越中心合作，向学生传达黑洞和高能伽马射线发射的物理学。 他们还将与学生教师和研究计划的教师合作，开发可用于中学课程的教学补充材料。VERITAS已经开始了一项广泛的银河系和河外源观测计划，以及对暗物质等新物理学特征的研究。 有了这个奖项，加州理工州立大学小组将致力于改进立体重建算法，重点是伽马射线淋浴的影响位置，天顶，方位角，淋浴高度和能量。 该小组的本科生将使用改进的探测算法来分析blazar数据。 该小组将研究矮星系的观测，以寻找暗物质的特征。