The Highest Energy Astroparticle Physics

超高能宇宙线(UHECRs)的起源是高能粒子天体物理学中最令人困惑的问题之一。它的解决方案可能会从根本上改变我们对宇宙中最极端的天体物理物体、渗透其中的磁场或粒子物理学的认识。还有几个悬而未决的问题--能谱中观察到的特征的来源是什么？UHECR的组成是什么？超高能效碳排放物的来源是什么？此外，UHECR还探索当前加速器无法获得的能量下的粒子相互作用。超过100TeV质心能量的粒子相互作用是我们所期望的吗？该奖项为芝加哥大学皮埃尔·奥格天文台(PAO)和相关粒子天体物理学的持续参与提供资金。它占地3000平方公里，是有史以来建造的最大的宇宙线探测器。UHECR产生的粒子簇射在地面上由稀疏的表面探测器(SD)阵列探测，在大气中由对簇射粒子激发的氮荧光的光敏感的荧光探测器(FD)望远镜探测。自2008年完成以来，PAO明确地在能谱末端建立了陡峭的磁通抑制，在UHECR到达方向上发现了各向异性的迹象，并在最高能量处发现了更重的UHECR成分的迹象。该小组将用更好的统计和数据分析方法改进俄歇测量(光谱、各向异性、成分、质子-空气截面)，并提供对数据的现象学解释，从而解决这些问题。身临其境的研究经验、创新的探测器实验室以及与天文馆的合作伙伴关系将把UHECR科学带给正式和非正式的受众。与Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge等关注代表性不足群体的项目合作开发的研究经验，将增强研究生和本科生水平的多样性。UHECR科学将通过与奥格尔访客中心、马拉格天文馆、阿德勒天文馆和视频公司的合作伙伴关系接触到广泛和多样化的受众。阿德勒的合作将包括高影响力的天文对话项目，在该项目中，科学家们直接与博物馆参观者互动，探索西班牙语编程，并开发一个完整的穹顶UHECR展览。

The origin of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) is one of the most puzzling questions in high energy particle astrophysics. Its solution may radically change our knowledge of the most extreme astrophysical objects in the Universe, of the magnetic fields which permeate it, or of particle physics. Several open questions remain - What is the origin of the observed features in the energy spectrum? What is the composition of the UHECRs? What are the sources of the UHECRs? In addition, UHECRs explore particle interactions at energies beyond the reach of current accelerators. Are particle interactions above 100 TeV center-of-mass energy what we expect?This award provides funds for the continued participation of the U. Chicago group with the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) and related particle astrophysics. With its 3000 km-squared area, it is the largest cosmic ray detector ever built. Particle showers produced by UHECRs are detected at the ground by a sparse array of surface detectors (SD), and in the atmosphere by fluorescence detector (FD) telescopes sensitive to the light from nitrogen fluorescence excited by the shower particles. Since its completion in 2008, the PAO has unequivocally established a steep flux suppression at the end of the energy spectrum, found hints of anisotropies in the UHECRs arrival directions and indications of a heavier UHECR composition at the highest energies. This group will address these questions by improving Auger measurements (spectrum, anisotropy, composition, proton-air cross section) with better statistics and data analysis methods, and by providing phenomenological interpretations of the data. Immersive research experiences, innovative detector laboratories, and partnerships with planetariums will bring UHECR science to formal and informal audiences. Research experiences developed in collaboration with programs focused on underrepresented groups, e.g. Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge, will enhance diversity at the graduate and undergraduate levels. UHECR science will reach broad and diverse audiences through partnerships with the Auger Visitors Center, the Malargue Planetarium, the Adler Planetarium and videos. The Adler collaboration will include the high-impact Astronomy Conversations program, where scientists interact directly with museum visitors, exploring Spanish language programming, and developing a full dome UHECR show.