WoU-MMA: Operations of VERITAS in the Epoch 2022 to 2025

伽马射线是电磁辐射中能量最高的一种形式，对它们的观测已被证明对促进我们对宇宙中最极端的天体物理过程的理解至关重要。位于美国亚利桑那州弗雷德·劳伦斯·惠普尔天文台（FLWO）的高能辐射成像望远镜阵列系统（VERITAS）天文台对能量超过100 GeV的伽马射线具有世界领先的灵敏度。该合同为VERITAS和原型史瓦西-库德望远镜（pSCT）的继续运行提供资金。在该合同签订期间，该天文台将对各种银河系和河外高能信号进行深入的伽玛射线研究，包括与多信使和时域天体物理学相关的信号。该奖项还将支持早期职业科学家的专业发展机会，使其能够进行独特的实地工作以及硬件和软件开发。更广泛地说，该奖项支持VERITAS在Zooniverse项目中的合作努力，以及FLWO游客中心的社区参与。VERITAS是一个由4个直径12米的大气切伦科夫望远镜（ACT）组成的阵列，每个望远镜的成像视场为3.5度。pSCT采用了一种新型的ACT双镜光学系统设计，用于下一代伽玛射线天文台切伦科夫望远镜阵列（CTA）。天文台联合工作，研究银河系天体，包括超新星遗迹、脉冲星、双星系统和银河系中心，以及河外天体，包括活动星系核、射电星系和星暴星系。天文台的多信使项目包括搜寻与伽马射线爆发、引力波信号和高能天体物理中微子有关的瞬态事件。此外，VERITAS的观测解决了与高能宇宙射线的起源、寻找暗物质和宇宙学相关的关键问题。这个项目推进了NSF宇宙大构想窗口的目标。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, and their observation has proven essential to advancing our understanding of the most extreme astrophysical processing in the Universe. Located at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory (FLWO) in Arizona, USA, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) observatory provides world-leading sensitivity to gamma-rays for energies above 100 GeV. This award provides the funding to continue operations of VERITAS and the prototype Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope (pSCT). During the period of this award, the observatory will operate to provide in-depth gamma-ray studies of a wide variety of Galactic and extragalactic very high-energy signals, including those associated with multi-messenger and time-domain astrophysics. The award will also support opportunities for the professional development of early career scientists, enabling unique field work and hard and software developments. More broadly, the award supports the VERITAS collaboration’s efforts in Zooniverse projects, and community engagement at the FLWO Visitor Centre.VERITAS is an array of four 12m diameter atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (ACT), each with an imaging field of view of 3.5 degrees. The pSCT employs a novel ACT dual-mirror optical system design developed for use in the next-generation gamma-ray observatory, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Operating in conjunction, the observatory studies Galactic objects including supernova remnants, pulsars, binary systems, and the Galactic Center, and extragalactic objects including active galactic nuclei, radio galaxies, and starburst galaxies. The multi-messenger program of the observatory includes searches for transient events from sources associated with gamma-ray bursts, gravitational wave signal, and high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. In addition, VERITAS observations address key questions related to the origin of high-energy cosmic-rays, the search for dark matter, and cosmology. This project advances the goals of the NSF Windows on the Universe 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.