WoU-MMA: Tracing Cosmic-Ray Origin and Transport Using HAWC and Multi-Wavelength Data

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整个宇宙中最极端环境中的物理条件和过程的探测，可以用来测试基础物理学。高海拔水切伦科夫（HAWC）天文台位于墨西哥内格拉山脉的斜坡上，是一个地面设施，具有独特的观测高能伽马射线的能力。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运行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。该小组将参与教育和推广活动，包括为K-12科学教育者提供研究经验。主要目标是开发一门物理课程，向高中生传授天体物理学研究中目前使用的科学方法。当宇宙射线与当地环境、星际物质和辐射场相互作用时，就会产生高能伽马射线。作为中性粒子，这些伽马射线可以追溯到它们的起源，并用于提供关于宇宙射线起源的关键信息。密歇根小组将通过研究来自不同来源的伽马射线发射的能量依赖通量和形态来解决宇宙射线的诞生、加速和传输问题：恒星形成区、超新星遗迹、脉冲星风星云、星系漫射发射、分子云和星暴星系。使用HAWC天文台数据的结果将与其他空间和地面天文台的多波长和多信使测量相补充和结合，从而解决NSF“宇宙之窗：多信使天体物理学时代”大构想的目标。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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 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 a research experience for K-12 science educators. The main goal is to develop a physics curriculum that teaches high school students the scientific methods currently used in astrophysics research.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 tackle the question of the birth, acceleration, and transport of cosmic rays by studying the energy dependent flux and morphology of the gamma-ray emission from a variety of source classes: Star Forming Regions, Super Nova Remnants, Pulsar Wind Nebulae, Galactic Diffuse Emission, Molecular Clouds, and Star Burst Galaxies. The results using data from the HAWC Observatory will complement and be combined with multi-wavelength and multi-messenger measurements by other space and ground-based observatories, thus addressing the goals of NSF's "Windows on the Universe: The Era of Multi-Messenger Astrophysics" Big Idea.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.