Astrophysics with Very-High-Energy Gamma Rays

伽马射线是电磁辐射中能量最高的形式。对天体物理伽马射线的观测是对宇宙中最极端环境下的物理条件和过程的探测，可以用来测试基础物理学。该奖项支持加州大学圣克鲁斯分校的科学家利用正在运行的天文台开展伽玛射线天体物理学研究，并参与下一代伽玛射线天文台的规划和开发。位于亚利桑那州南部的高能辐射成像望远镜阵列系统（VERITAS），设计用于对银河系和河外源进行高灵敏度的定点观测。加州大学圣克鲁斯分校的研究小组将致力于收集、分析和解释来自高能星系外的科学数据。该小组还将在切伦科夫望远镜阵列（CTA）的开发中发挥领导作用，这是一个目前处于规划阶段的国际伽玛射线天文台。该组织计划开发一个公民科学项目，让公众参与探索和分析VERITAS的数据。他们还将继续在教育和公众宣传方面进行广泛的努力。加州大学圣克鲁斯分校的研究小组将使用VERITAS来探索两种强大的伽玛射线源的极端行为，活动星系核（AGN）和伽玛射线暴（GRB）。测量AGN的高能伽玛射线发射，探测AGN喷流的特性，并提供关于加速过程的重要信息。这些数据还将用于研究与河外背景光碰撞产生的伽马射线吸收，以检验宇宙模型对恒星形成和星系演化的预测。利用VERITAS的数据，该小组将研究GRB的机制及其在高能天体物理现象中的作用。该小组将继续努力开发下一代切伦科夫望远镜阵列（CTA），并将在合作中担任领导角色。

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. This award supports scientists at the University of California Santa Cruz in carrying out gamma-ray astrophysics research using an operating observatory and participating in the planning and development of the next generation gamma-ray observatory. The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS), located in southern Arizona, is designed to perform high-sensitivity pointed observations of both galactic and extragalactic sources. The University of California Santa Cruz group will work on collection, analysis and interpretation of scientific data from highly-energetic extragalactic sources. The group will also play a leadership role in the development of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), an international gamma-ray observatory currently in planning stages. The group plans to develop a citizen science program to engage the public in exploring and analyzing the data from VERITAS. They will also continue to engage in a broad range of efforts in education and public outreach.The University of California Santa Cruz group will use VERITAS to explore the extreme behavior of two powerful classes of gamma-ray sources, active galactic nuclei (AGN) and gamma-ray bursts (GRB). Measurements of the very high energy gamma-ray emission from AGN probe properties of the AGN jets and provide important information about the acceleration processes. These data will also be used to study gamma-ray absorption by collisions with the extragalactic background light to test the cosmological model predictions for star formation and galaxy evolution. Using VERITAS data, the group will study GRB mechanisms and the role they play in high energy astrophysical phenomena. The group will continue efforts to develop the next-generation Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) and will serve in leadership roles within the collaboration.