Investigating Large Scale Structures and Galactic Plane Morphologies at TeV Energies with the HAWC Observatory

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。 高海拔水切伦科夫（HAWC）天文台位于墨西哥Sierra Negra的斜坡上，是一个地面设施，具有观测极高能量伽马射线的独特能力。 该奖项支持密歇根理工大学的科学家与HAWC进行研究。 除了支持HAWC操作的硬件和服务活动外，该小组还将分析HAWC数据，以研究宇宙射线的起源。 该组织将从事教育和推广活动，包括大学为高中生举办的暑期青年项目。高能伽马射线是宇宙射线与其局部环境、星际物质和辐射场相互作用时产生的。 作为中性粒子，这些伽马射线可以追溯到它们的起源，并用于提供宇宙射线起源的关键信息。 密歇根小组将对点、扩展和扩散的银河伽马射线源发射进行详细研究，包括研究形态和光谱能量分布，以研究宇宙射线的起源。 利用HAWC观测站数据得出的结果将补充其他空间和地面伽马射线观测站的测量结果，并可与之相结合。

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 High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory, located on the slopes of the Sierra Negra in Mexico, is a ground-based facility designed with unique capabilities to observe very high-energy gamma-rays. This award supports scientists at Michigan Technological University doing research with HAWC. In addition to hardware and service activities to support HAWC operations, the group will analyze HAWC data to study the origin of cosmic rays. The group will engage in education and outreach activities, including the University's Summer Youth Program for high-school students. High-energy gamma-rays are produced when cosmic rays interact with their local environment, interstellar matter and radiation fields. As neutral particles these gamma-rays can be traced back to their origin and used to provide critical information on the origin of cosmic rays. The Michigan group will perform detailed studies of point, extended, and diffuse Galactic gamma-ray source emission, including studies of the morphology and spectral energy distributions to study the origin of cosmic rays. The results using data from the HAWC Observatory will complement and can be combined with measurements by other space and ground-based gamma-ray observatories.