University of Utah Particle Astrophysics Research Group Grant (VERITAS, HAWC, CTA)

高能伽玛辐射是极端宇宙的关键信使之一，特别是提供了对产生最高能量粒子的宇宙射线加速器的洞察。该合同支持犹他大学研究人员继续参与高海拔水切伦科夫（HAWC）和VERITAS天文台以及未来切伦科夫望远镜阵列（CTA）天文台的观测和数据分析活动。该基金资助的学生和博士后研究人员将探索黑洞、中子星和超新星遗迹发出的高能伽马辐射的起源。此外，研究人员将开发超高分辨率可见光观测，以精确测量直径，并使用VERITAS恒星强度干涉测量天文台创建附近恒星的图像。该奖项支持为本科生提供广泛的培训计划，这些学生无法通过大学的黑暗天空研究联盟获得广泛的研究设施，以及探索天文黑暗天空，城市规划，生物多样性和小气候，劳动力多样性和经济机会之间联系的活动。研究人员在多波长分析方面的最新进展为探索银河系宇宙射线的可能天体物理起源和观测到的局部正电子通量提供了一个框架。这包括档案研究和VERITAS对有希望的TeV光晕区域的新观测，这些光晕区域是从费米卫星天文台发布的当前全天空目录中识别出来的，以及HAWC的北方天空调查。下一步将利用新开发的宽视场施瓦茨child- couder望远镜实现改进的伽马射线观测，并将这些元素、多信使最大似然分析框架（3ML）和匹配运行方法分析工具整合到GammaPy分析框架中，供未来的CTA天文台使用。完成该计划的是通过VERITAS望远镜的强度干涉测量法在U/V波段测量恒星直径，这将允许开发一套用于O/B/ a星、造父变星和双星系统成像的分析工具。这个项目推进了NSF宇宙大构想窗口的目标。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

High-energy gamma-radiation represents one of the key messengers of the extreme universe, in particular providing insight into the cosmic ray accelerators that produce the highest energy particles observed. The award supports the activities of researchers at the University of Utah for on-going participation in observations and analysis of data from the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) and VERITAS observatories, and the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory. Students and postdoctoral researchers supported by this grant will explore the origin of the high-energy gamma-radiation emitted by black holes, neutron stars, and supernova remnants. In addition, the researchers will develop ultra-high-resolution visible-light observations to accurately measure the diameters and create images of nearby stars using the VERITAS Stellar Intensity Interferometry Observatory. The award supports an extensive training program for undergraduate students who do not otherwise have access to extensive research facilities, and activities that explore the connections between astronomical dark skies, urban planning, biodiversity and microclimate, workforce diversity, and economic opportunity through the University’s Consortium for Dark Sky Studies.Recent advances in multi-wavelength analyses developed by the researchers provide a framework to explore possible astrophysical origins of galactic cosmic rays and the observed local positron flux. This includes studies of archival and new VERITAS observations of promising TeV halo regions identified from current all-sky catalogs published by the Fermi satellite Observatory, and the HAWC northern-sky surveys. Next steps will realize improved gamma-ray observations with the newly-developed wide-field of view Schwartzchild-Couder Telescope and result in integrating these elements, the Multi-Messenger Maximum Likelihood analysis framework (3ML), and Matched Run Method analysis tools to the GammaPy analysis framework, for use by the future CTA observatory. Completing the program is a survey of stellar diameters measured in the U/V optical bands via intensity interferometry observations with the VERITAS telescopes that will permit development of a suite of analysis tools for imaging of O/B/A stars, Cepheid variables, and binary systems. This project advances the goals of the NSF Windows on the Universe Big Idea.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.