The Highest Energy Astroparticle Physics

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The origin of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) is a long-standing mystery. Because they have such a tiny flux, an extensive international collaboration built the world’s largest cosmic ray detector, the Pierre Auger Observatory, covering 3000 square kilometers in Argentina. Auger has unequivocally established various UHECR features, but the emerging picture is complex and requires the improved measurements of the AugerPrime upgrade, currently under way. This award continues the research activities of the University of Chicago Auger group. Making progress on the puzzles of UHECR may radically change our understanding of the most extreme astrophysical objects in the Universe, of the magnetic fields which permeate it, or of particle physics. Planned immersive research experiences and engagement of the local community and partnerships will bring UHECR science to both formal and informal audiences. Research experiences developed in collaboration with programs focused on under-represented groups will enhance student diversity. Other activities include partnership with The Array of Things, integrating under-represented minority high school students into the Space Explorers Program, and communicating science to older adults via the Life-long Learning Program. An especially interesting idea is a 3D-printed sky map in Braille as an exhibit.This research addresses crucial pieces of the UHECR puzzle by precise measurements, searching for sources with a new method to study anisotropy which employs composition-sensitive observables. Novel analysis methods for composition-assisted anisotropy studies will use new data from AugerPrime. Operating fluorescence detectors of a novel design at Auger and also at the northern Telescope Array UHECR observatory allows for cross-calibration of the two experiments, potentially resolving suggestions that the northern and southern hemispheres have different UHECR skies.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.