Highest Energy Cosmic Rays

这是一项继续由芝加哥大学(UC)参与Pierre Auger天文台(PAO)的提议。该天文台的设计目的是通过测量能量、成分和到达方向在整个天空的分布，并通过大量统计数据和仔细控制系统效应，来研究能量大于10^19 eV的宇宙射线的起源和性质。正在阿根廷建造的南堡探测器是第一个混合探测器，它结合了两种最先进的测量超高能宇宙射线(UHECR)产生的阵雨的技术。天文台通过表面阵列探测到达地面的簇射粒子，并通过大气中产生的荧光探测簇射的纵向发展。这种组合对于准确的能量测量和可靠的成分研究是必不可少的。该提案代表了加州大学两个由NSF支持的团体的合并。克罗宁在15个正在建设天文台的国家之间的国际合作的形成中发挥了重要作用。奥托托专注于这些最高能量粒子起源的理论方面，以及空气簇射技术的优势和局限性。将这两个小组整合为一项工作将有利于研究目标和学生的培训，让他们参与到科学的各个方面：从PAO的构建和操作到其数据的分析和解释。广泛的影响：最高能量粒子起源的发现将对天体物理学和粒子物理学产生影响。UHECR研究中涉及的基本问题引起了热切期待结果的大科学界的注意。《南华早报》对从阿根廷到越南的全球参与国的公共教育和宣传活动产生了重大影响。这项建议与阿德勒天文馆/加州大学在天体物理可视化方面的努力合作，通过开发最高能量簇射、它们的探测方法和可能的宇宙起源的3D和2D可视化，扩大了公众的覆盖面，并加强了教育和公众宣传努力的物理学和天体物理学内容的深度。

This is a proposal to continue the participation of the University of Chicago (UC) in the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO). The observatory is designed to study the origin and nature of cosmic rays with energies greater than 10^19 eV by measuring their energy, their composition, and the distribution of arrival directions over the entire sky with large statistics and careful control of systematic effects. The Southern PAO, under construction in Argentina, is the first hybrid detector that combines the two best-developed techniques of measuring showers caused by ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR). The observatory detects shower particles that reach the surface with a surface array and the longitudinal development of the shower through the fluorescence produced in the atmosphere. This combination is essential for accurate energy measurements and reliable composition studies. This proposal represents the merging of two NSF-supported groups at UC. Cronin has been instrumental in the formation of the international collaboration of the 15 countries now building the observatory. Olinto has focused on the theoretical aspects of the origin of these highest energy particles as well as the strengths and limitations of the air shower techniques. The integration of the two groups into a single effort will benefit both the research goals and the training of students by involving them in all aspects of science: from the construction and operation of the PAO to the analysis and interpretation of its data. Broad Impact: The discovery of the origin of the highest energy particles will impact both astrophysics and particle physics. The fundamental questions involved in the study of UHECR have drawn the attention of a large scientific community eagerly awaiting the results. The Southern PAO has had a major impact on public education and outreach throughout the participating countries across the globe: from Argentina to Vietnam. In collaboration with the Adler Planetarium/UC effort in astrophysics visualization, this proposal enlarges the public reach and strengthens the depth of physics and astrophysics content of the education and public outreach effort by developing 3D and 2D visualizations of the highest energy showers, their detection methods, and possible cosmic origins.