Cosmic Ray Physics with HAWC

该项目将促进对宇宙射线的理解，宇宙射线是来自太空的神秘粒子，不断轰击我们的星球。宇宙射线携带有关宇宙本质的宝贵信息，解开它们的秘密对于了解它们的起源以及从其源头到地球的旅程至关重要。该项目旨在分析墨西哥高海拔水切伦科夫（HAWC）天文台收集的近十年的数据，以创建宇宙射线到达方向分布的详细地图。通过研究宇宙射线的各向异性，并将其与它们的能谱和质量组成相结合，该项目可以揭示它们在银河系中传播的见解，并确定附近源的潜在存在。这一知识对于揭示星际介质中天体物理等离子体的性质也至关重要，包括非常局部的环境，如日光层。通过外联工作，包括与代表性不足的社区接触和制定教育计划，该项目将激励下一代科学家，并培养一个多元化和包容性的科学界。该研究分析了HAWC天文台收集的宇宙射线数据，以研究宇宙射线的各向异性。宇宙射线是来自遥远的未解决来源的高能粒子，由于对加速机制和在空间传播时与磁场的相互作用知之甚少，因此在研究中面临许多挑战。分析的目的是在宽能量范围（1-100 TeV）内产生宇宙射线到达方向分布的高分辨率天空图，并研究其时间稳定性，能谱特征和角结构。结合HAWC和IceCube的数据将提供10 TeV至100 TeV的宇宙射线各向异性的全天空地图，从而使人们能够前所未有地了解它们的起源和传播机制。这项研究将有助于进一步了解星际磁化等离子体湍流的特性。这些知识将有助于揭示宇宙射线加速和传播背后的机制，揭示其星系源的性质和星际介质的结构。此外，对宇宙射线各向异性的研究具有实际意义，如空间天气预报和宇航员的辐射防护。该项目利用现有的大量数据进行分析和调查观察的起源，通过让学生参与科学研究和教育下一代科学家来促进教育和宣传目标。此外，已发表的研究结果将与研究日光层对从太空到达地球的TeV宇宙射线的影响有关。该奖项反映了NSF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。

This project will advance the understanding of cosmic rays, enigmatic particles from space that continuously bombard our planet. Cosmic rays carry valuable information about the nature of the universe, and unlocking their secrets is crucial for understanding their origin and journey from their sources to Earth. The project aims to analyze nearly a decade of data collected by the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory in Mexico to create detailed maps of the cosmic ray arrival direction distribution. By studying cosmic ray anisotropy and integrating it with their energy spectrum and mass composition, the project can uncover insights into their propagation across the Milky Way and pinpoint the potential existence of a nearby source. This knowledge is also crucial for unraveling the properties of astrophysical plasmas in the interstellar medium, including the very local environment, such as the heliosphere. Through outreach efforts, including engagement with underrepresented communities and the development of educational programs, the project will inspire the next generation of scientists and foster a diverse and inclusive scientific community. The research analyzes cosmic ray data collected by the HAWC Observatory to study cosmic ray anisotropy. Cosmic rays, high-energy particles originating from distant unresolved sources, pose numerous challenges in their study due to the poorly understood acceleration mechanisms and interactions with magnetic fields while propagating in space. The analysis aims to produce high-resolution sky maps of cosmic ray arrival direction distribution across a wide energy range (1-100 TeV) and investigate its temporal stability, energy spectral features, and angular structure. Combining data from HAWC and IceCube will provide all-sky maps of cosmic ray anisotropy from 10 TeV to 100 TeV, enabling unprecedented insights into their origins and propagation mechanisms. The research will contribute to advancements in understanding the properties of interstellar magnetized plasma turbulence. This knowledge will help uncover the mechanisms behind cosmic ray acceleration and propagation, shedding light on the nature of their galactic sources and the structure of the interstellar medium. Furthermore, the study of cosmic ray anisotropy has practical implications, such as space weather forecasting and radiation protection for astronauts. The project takes advantage of the large data volume available to develop analyses and investigate the origin of the observation, promoting the education and outreach goals by exposing students to scientific research and educating the next generation of scientists. In addition, the published results will be relevant to study the heliosphere's effects on TeV cosmic rays reaching Earth from space.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.