Particle Astrophysics with VERITAS and Development for CTA

伽马射线是电磁辐射中能量最高的形式。对天体物理伽马射线的观测是对宇宙中最极端环境下的物理条件和过程的探测，可以用来测试基础物理学。该奖项支持加州大学洛杉矶分校的科学家使用正在运行的天文台进行伽玛射线天体物理学研究，并参与下一代伽玛射线天文台的规划和开发。位于亚利桑那州南部的高能辐射成像望远镜阵列系统（VERITAS），设计用于对银河系和河外源进行高灵敏度的定点观测。加州大学洛杉矶分校小组将为VERITAS的操作和维护作出贡献，并对科学数据进行分析和解释。该小组还参与了切伦科夫望远镜阵列（CTA）的开发，这是一个目前处于规划阶段的国际伽玛射线天文台。该小组领导了史瓦西-库德望远镜（SCT）的开发，这是一项将在CTA上实施的新技术。他们将在VERITAS现场操作SCT原型。该小组将继续对高中生进行现有的教育和推广活动，并对来自VERITAS和SCT原型的数据进行实际研究。他们还将开发一个公民科学项目，让公众参与探索SCT原型的数据。加州大学洛杉矶分校的研究小组将使用VERITAS来研究银河系的来源，重点是天鹅座区域和银河系中心，并在宇宙空洞中寻找磁场。他们将与VERITAS一起操作原型SCT，并与VERITAS协调，以表征和改进其性能。该团队将继续通过技术开发和顶级项目管理角色参与CTA的定义和领导。

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. This award supports scientists at the University of California Los Angeles to carry out gamma-ray astrophysics research using an operating observatory and participate in the planning and development of the next generation gamma-ray observatory. The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS), located in southern Arizona, is designed to perform high sensitivity pointed observations of both galactic and extragalactic sources. The University of California Los Angeles group will contribute to the operation and maintenance of VERITAS and work on analysis and interpretation of the scientific data. The group is also involved in the development of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), an international gamma-ray observatory currently in planning stages. The group leads the development of the Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (SCT), a new technology to be implemented on CTA. They will operate a prototype SCT at the VERITAS site. The group will continue their existing education and outreach activities to high-school students with hands-on research involving data from VERITAS and the prototype SCT. They will also develop a citizen science program that will engage the public in exploring the data from the prototype SCT.The University of California Los Angeles group will use VERITAS to study Galactic sources, focusing on the Cygnus region and the Galactic Center, and to search for magnetic fields in cosmic voids. They will operate the prototype SCT alongside and in coordination with VERITAS to characterize and improve its performance. The group will continue to be involved in the definition and leadership of CTA through the technology development and top-level project management roles.