RUI: WoU-MMA: Analysis of TeV Gamma-rays from Active Galaxies and Dark Matter

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是对宇宙中最极端环境中的物理条件和过程的探测，可以用来测试基本物理。位于亚利桑那州南部的高能辐射成像望远镜阵列系统(VERITAS)是一个地面天文台，旨在研究高能伽马射线。VERITAS具有独特的能力，可以提供对银河系和银河系外来源的高灵敏度定点观测。该奖项支持加州理工州立大学的科学家与VERITAS和新的共置原型施瓦茨柴尔德-库德望远镜(PSCT)进行研究。该小组将致力于扩展Veritas和PSCT的伽马射线探测算法，以进一步提高望远镜的灵敏度。本科生将参与这项研究。该小组还将通过加州理工州立大学工程、科学和教育中心与中央海岸的物理教师合作，开发关于活动星系的形态、光谱和可变性的教育模块。Veritas已经开始了一项广泛的银河系和河外源观测计划，以及寻找引力波和中微子源的超高能电磁对应物。有了这个奖项，加州理工州立大学小组将致力于图像模板方法(ITM)的扩展，这是一种新的伽马射线重建算法。随着ITM带来的灵敏度提高，该小组将搜索来自活动星系的非常高能量的伽马射线，这些星系很可能是多信使加速的地点，并利用对矮小星系的观测来设定暗物质限制。该小组将邀请本科生发现由VERITAS机会目标计划触发的新的超高能量发射活动星系。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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 Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS), located in southern Arizona, is a ground-based observatory designed to study high-energy gamma rays. VERITAS has unique capabilities, providing high sensitivity pointed observations of both galactic and extragalactic sources. This award supports scientists at California Polytechnic State University to carry out research with VERITAS and with the new co-located prototype Schwartzchild-Couder Telescope (pSCT). The group will work on extensions to the gamma-ray detection algorithms for VERITAS and the pSCT to further improve the sensitivity of the telescopes. Undergraduate students will be involved in the research. The group will also work with the Physics Teachers of the Central Coast through the Center for Engineering, Science and Education at California Polytechnic State University to develop educational modules around morphology, spectra, and variability of active galaxies. VERITAS has embarked upon a broad program of Galactic and extragalactic source observations, as well as searches for very-high-energy electromagnetic counterparts to sources of gravitational waves and neutrinos. With this award the California Polytech State University group will work on extensions to the Image Template Method (ITM), a new gamma-ray reconstruction algorithm. With the improved sensitivity enabled by ITM the group will search for very-high-energy gamma rays from active galaxies, which are likely to be the sites of multi-messenger acceleration, and use observations of dwarf galaxies to set dark matter limits. The group will engage undergraduate students in the discovery of new very-high-energy emitting active galaxies triggered by the VERITAS Target of Opportunity program.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.