WoU-MMA: Multi-Messenger Studies with Very-High-Energy Gamma Rays

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是对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。该奖项支持阿拉巴马大学的科学家与VERITAS一起开展研究。该小组将使用Veritas观测来搜索冰立方天文台探测到的高能中微子和LIGO天文台探测到的引力波事件的伽马射线对应物。该小组参与了多信使天体物理学本科生的培训和发展活动，特别强调STEM领域历史上代表性不足的小组的成员。阿拉巴马大学小组将专注于下列多信使天体物理研究：寻找与冰立方天文台记录和新探测到的高能天体中微子事件候选者同时发生的极高能量伽马射线发射；详细研究TXS 0506 056，这是第一个与高能天体中微子同时探测到的VHE伽马射线源；对明亮耀斑和其他类型的星系外中微子的伽马射线观测进行综合研究，以探测其发射机制；以及为LIGO产生的引力波事件寻找非常高能量的伽马射线对应物。阿拉巴马大学的小组将通过参与亚利桑那州Veritas站点的空气切伦科夫望远镜原型的开发和调试，继续与下一代切伦科夫望远镜阵列有关的工作。这项工作直接涉及美国国家科学基金会“宇宙之窗：多信使天体物理学时代”的目标。这一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 the University of Alabama to carry out research with VERITAS. The group will use VERITAS observations to search for gamma-ray counterparts of high-energy neutrinos detected by the IceCube observatory and of gravitational wave events detected by the LIGO observatory. The group is involved in training and development activities for undergraduates working in multi-messenger astrophysics with particular emphasis on members of historically under-represented groups in STEM fields.The University of Alabama group will focus on the following multi-messenger astrophysics studies: a search for very high energy gamma-ray emission in coincidence with archival and newly-detected high-energy astrophysical neutrino event candidates from the IceCube observatory; a detailed study of TXS 0506+056, the first VHE gamma ray source detected in coincidence with a high energy astrophysical neutrino; a comprehensive study of gamma-ray observations of bright blazars and other types of extragalactic sources that are potential neutrino emitters to probe their emission mechanisms; and the search for very high energy gamma-ray counterparts for gravitational wave events produced by LIGO. The group at the University of Alabama will continue efforts related to the next-generation Cherenkov Telescope Array by participating in the development and commissioning of a prototype air Cherenkov telescope at the VERITAS site in Arizona. This work directly addresses 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.