TeV Astrophysics with the VERITAS Gamma Ray Observatory

伽马射线是电磁辐射的最高能量形式。对天体物理伽马射线的观测可以作为宇宙中最极端环境中的物理条件和过程的探测器，并可用于测试基本物理。位于亚利桑那州南部的高能辐射成像望远镜阵列系统(VERITAS)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，可以提供对银河系和银河系外来源的高灵敏度定点观测。该奖项支持巴纳德学院的科学家与VERITAS一起开展研究。该小组将参与支持天文台的技术行动和科学调查，重点是研究活动星系、脉冲星风星云和不明伽马射线源的辐射。巴纳德学院小组大力参与教育和外展工作。这些项目涉及天体物理学研究的本科生，重点是扩大女性的参与。他们还参与了对纽约地区高中生的外展工作。VERITAS已经开始了一项广泛的银河系和银河系外源观测计划，以及对暗物质等新物理特征的研究。有了这一奖项，巴纳德学院小组将参与VERITAS观测活动，并进行科学数据分析，重点是活动星系和宇宙学的河外物理。他们的科学计划还将包括对脉冲星风星云等星系源的研究，调查不明伽马射线源的性质，以及使用多信使方法来调查宇宙射线的起源。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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 Barnard College to carry out research with VERITAS. The group will participate in both technical operations in support of the observatory and in scientific investigations with a focus on studying emission from active galaxies, pulsar wind nebulae, and unidentified gamma-ray sources. The Barnard College group is heavily engaged in education and outreach efforts. They involve undergraduate students in astrophysics research with an emphasis on broadening the participation of women. They are also involved in outreach efforts to high-school students in the New York City area.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 Barnard College group will participate in VERITAS observing campaigns and carry out scientific data analysis with a focus on the extragalactic physics of active galaxies and cosmology. Their scientific program will also include the study of galactic sources such as pulsar wind nebulae, investigating the nature of unidentified gamma-ray sources, and using multi-messenger approaches to investigate the origin of cosmic rays.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.