WoU-MMA: Very-High-Energy Gamma-Rays as a Unique Probe of Multimessenger Astrophysics

对电磁光谱、引力波和中微子的天体物理“信使”的观测，为研究宇宙中一些最极端的现象提供了一个独特的机会。超高能伽马射线在这些测量中发挥着独特的作用，因为它们探测天体物理环境，在那里粒子被加速到一些观察到的最高能量。该奖项支持阿拉巴马大学的研究人员利用高能辐射成像望远镜系统(VERITAS)和未来的切伦科夫望远镜阵列(CTA)天文台研究多信使天体物理学。该研究项目进行了两项专门的搜索。第一个搜索是通过结合Veritas VHe伽马射线观测和冰立方中微子天文台探测到的高能中微子来寻找天体物理中微子的来源。第二个是寻找与引力波事件对应的VHE伽马射线。此外，该组织将提供包括本科生在内的专门培训计划，将为当地高中开发高能伽马射线大师班，并编写西班牙语材料，向广大公众介绍多信使天体物理学。对TeV-PeV能量范围内的中微子和伽马射线天空的联合研究可以为高能天体物理学中的一些最紧迫的问题提供重要的见解，包括宇宙射线的加速和传播、致密天体合并的特征和定位、超大质量黑洞系统的研究以及伽马射线爆发等高能瞬变的性质。由于许多潜在的过程预计将负责同时发射伽马射线和中微子，联合研究受益于多信使通道之间的相互联系。这包括与实时高能天体物理中微子事件重合的VERITAS观测，对候选活动星系核的长期观测，以及对明亮的blazar和其他类型的河外来源的全面研究，以探索潜在中微子发射体的机制。这个项目推进了NSF宇宙大理想之窗的目标。这一奖项反映了NSF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。

The observation of astrophysical “messengers” across the electromagnetic spectrum, gravitational waves, and neutrinos, provides a unique opportunity to study some of the Universe’s most extreme phenomena. Very high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays play a unique role in these measurements as they probe astrophysical environments where particles are accelerated to some of the highest energies observed. This award supports researchers at the University of Alabama to study multi-messenger astrophysics with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope System (VERITAS) and the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory. The research program carries out two dedicated searches. The first search is for sources of astrophysical neutrinos by combining VERITAS VHE gamma-ray observations with high-energy neutrinos detected by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. The second is searches for VHE gamma-ray counterparts to gravitational wave events. In addition, the group will provide a dedicated training program that includes undergraduate students, will develop a Masterclass in high-energy gamma rays for local high schools, and generate Spanish-language materials that introduce the broad public to multi-messenger astrophysics. The combined study of the neutrino and gamma-ray sky in the TeV – PeV energy range can provide important insight into some of the most pressing questions in high-energy astrophysics, including the acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays, the characterization and localization of compact object mergers, the study of supermassive black hole systems, and the properties of energetic transients like gamma-ray bursts. As many of the underlying processes are expected to be responsible for simultaneous gamma-ray and neutrino emission, joint studies benefit from the interconnection between multi-messenger channels. This includes VERITAS observations coincident with real-time high-energy astrophysical neutrino events, long-term observations of candidate active galactic nuclei, and comprehensive studies of bright blazars and other types of extragalactic sources to probe the mechanisms of potential neutrino emitters. 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.