Multi-TeV Particle Astrophysics with the HAWC Observatory

伽马射线是电磁辐射的最高能量形式。对天体物理伽马射线的观测可以作为宇宙中最极端环境中的物理条件和过程的探测器，并可用于测试基本物理。高海拔水切伦科夫天文台(HAWC)位于墨西哥内格拉山脉的山坡上，是一个地面设施，旨在观测非常高能量的伽马射线。HAWC拥有独特的能力，视野宽广，每天可以观测三分之二的天空。该奖项支持宾夕法尼亚州立大学的科学家与HAWC开展研究。该小组将参加支持天文台的技术行动和科学调查。宾夕法尼亚州立大学小组致力于教育和外展工作。他们正在开发可用于高中教师暑期工作坊的新数据采集系统和活动。HAWC由300个配备光电倍增管的水箱组成，可以探测高能伽马射线和宇宙射线撞击高层大气时产生的大范围空气骤雨中的粒子。宾夕法尼亚州立大学小组参与了HAWC天文台的关键方面，包括光电倍增管的校准、在线采集和分析系统以及分析工具的开发。他们还参与了伽马射线暴和高能扩散发射区的高能发射的研究。

Gamma-rays are the highest energy form of electromagnetic radiation. Observations of astrophysical gamma-rays serve as probes of physical conditions and processes in the most extreme environments throughout the Universe, and can be used to test fundamental physics. The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory, located on the slopes of the Sierra Negra in Mexico, is a ground-based facility designed to observe very high energy gamma-rays. HAWC has unique capabilities with a wide field of view that can observe two-thirds of the sky every day. This award supports scientists at Pennsylvania State University to carry out research with HAWC. The group will participate in both technical operations in support of the observatory and scientific investigations. The Pennsylvania State University group is engaged in education and outreach efforts. They are developing new data acquisition systems and activities that can be used in high-school teacher summer workshops.HAWC consists of an array of 300 water tanks equipped with photomultiplier tubes that detect particles from the extensive air showers generated when high energy gamma-rays and cosmic rays impact the upper atmosphere. The Pennsylvania State University group is involved in critical aspects of the HAWC observatory, including the calibration of the photomultiplier tubes, the online acquisition and analysis system, and the development of analysis tools. They are also involved in the study of high-energy emission from gamma-ray bursts and high energy diffuse emission regions.