Gamma Ray Astronomy and Particle Astrophysics (Univ of Utah Group)

甚高能量（VHE）伽马射线探测天体物理学中已知的最具能量的非热过程，并提供有关源环境中磁场，冲击，辐射场和能量学的丰富信息。VHE伽马射线还使基础粒子天体物理学的研究成为可能，包括研究高浓度暗物质的候选位置，以及在轻子扇区中直接灵敏地搜索洛伦兹不变性破坏。该伞式奖将继续支持犹他州大学（UU）的VHE伽马射线天文学研究小组。 UU VERITAS小组将从VERITAS想象大气切伦科夫望远镜阵列进行持续观测和数据分析，这是世界上最灵敏的VHE伽马射线天文台。由UU VERITAS集团牵头，将于2012年年中安装和调试VERITAS摄像机。这一升级将导致灵敏度的大幅提高，并允许探索低于100 GeV的能量范围。 UU HAWC集团将参与HAWC天文台的建设、调试和运营，该天文台目前正在墨西哥Sierra Negra附近建设。HAWC天文台将采用300个大型水切伦科夫探测器阵列，部署在高空，记录VHE伽马射线在地球大气中产生的带电粒子。一旦HAWC观测站全面运行，该小组将在VERITAS和HAWC之间进行协同、协调的观测。更广泛的影响：该奖项将加强UU VERITAS和HAWC集团在地方，州和国家层面的现有EPO计划。在过去三年中，这些小组发展了位于犹他州弗里斯科峰的威拉德·埃克尔斯天文台，目前正在运作。这个机器人望远镜进行多波长的科学观测，并提供公共观测时间，以大学，学院和高中整个犹他州。这些团体通过两个高中FIRST机器人团队的指导开发了STEM外展，并开发了全州FIRST机器人计划。

Very High Energy (VHE) gamma-rays probe the most energetic non-thermal processes known in astrophysics, and provide a wealth of information regarding magnetic fields, shocks, radiation fields, and energetics in the source environment. VHE gamma-rays also enable research in fundamental particle astrophysics, including the study of candidate locations of high concentrations of Dark Matter and direct, sensitive searches for Lorentz Invariance Violation in the lepton sector. This umbrella award will continue support for the VHE gamma-ray astronomy research groups at the University of Utah (UU). The UU VERITAS group will carry out continuing observations and data analysis from the VERITAS Imagining Atmospheric Cerenkov Telescope array, the world's most sensitive VHE gamma-ray observatory. An upgrade of the VERITAS cameras, led by the UU VERITAS group, will be installed and commissioned in mid-2012. This upgrade will result in substantial increases in sensitivity, and allow exploration of the energy regime below 100 GeV. The UU HAWC group will participate in the construction, commissioning, and operations of the HAWC Observatory, which is currently under construction near Sierra Negra, Mexico. The HAWC observatory will employ an array of 300 large Water Cherenkov Detectors deployed at high altitude that record the charged particles generated by VHE gamma-rays in the Earth's atmosphere. The group will perform synergistic, coordinated observations between VERITAS and HAWC, once the HAWC observatory is fully operational. Broader Impacts:This award will strengthen the UU VERITAS and HAWC groups' existing EPO initiatives on the local, state, and national level. During the past three years, the groups have developed and are now operating the Willard Eccles Observatory (WEO), at Frisco Peak, Utah. This robotic telescope performs multi-wavelength science observations and also provides public observing time to universities, colleges, and high schools throughout Utah. The groups have developed STEM outreach through mentorship of two high school FIRST robotics teams, and developed a statewide FIRST robotics program.