A Major Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. A major upgrade is under-way to enhance the sensitivity of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory in its search for the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays are heavy nuclei. This project, assisting the upgrade, is expected to significantly improve the observatory's abil ....A Major Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. A major upgrade is under-way to enhance the sensitivity of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory in its search for the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays are heavy nuclei. This project, assisting the upgrade, is expected to significantly improve the observatory's ability to identify the mass, and hence the electric charge, of the incoming cosmic rays, allowing astrophysical source directions to be identified for the low charge particles less affected by cosmic magnetic fields. The project will also contribute to the understanding of particle interactions at energies well beyond those explored at the Large Hadron Collider.Read moreRead less
Exploring the high energy sky with the Pierre Auger Observatory. Cosmic rays are enormously energetic particles that must originate in the most violent environments in the Universe. This work will use the 3000 sq km Pierre Auger Observatory, built in collaboration with Australian physicists, to pinpoint the origin of these rare particles, thus laying to rest one of the longest standing mysteries in astronomy.
The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, ....The Dawn of Extreme Gamma Ray Astronomy. This project aims to reveal the highest energy cosmic-ray particles in our galaxy, produced in extreme and still unknown astrophysical processes. Their interaction with nuclei in space produces the highest energy gamma ray light. Our project will make use of this extreme gamma ray light with upgraded and next-generation gamma-ray telescope arrays. With accompanying data from Australian radio telescopes, and computer models of the cosmic ray interactions, our project can finally determine from where these cosmic rays originate, yielding insight into our galaxy's evolution. Complex machine learning methods will be needed in a project that provides a world-leading student training ground, motivated by a century old mystery in astronomy.Read moreRead less
Exploring the High Energy Universe with Neutrinos detected in IceCube. The project aims to use the high energy neutrinos observed by the IceCube detector at the South Pole to uncover
the nature of the most energetic objects in the Universe. This project expects to find out what distant objects made
the neutrinos, understand their distribution through the Universe, and see if they are also cosmic and gamma ray
acceleration and production sites. Expected outcomes of this project include solving th ....Exploring the High Energy Universe with Neutrinos detected in IceCube. The project aims to use the high energy neutrinos observed by the IceCube detector at the South Pole to uncover
the nature of the most energetic objects in the Universe. This project expects to find out what distant objects made
the neutrinos, understand their distribution through the Universe, and see if they are also cosmic and gamma ray
acceleration and production sites. Expected outcomes of this project include solving this long-standing mystery in
high-energy astrophysics, development of new data analysis techniques, training new scientists, and educating
the public. These should provide significant benefits to science and society, through a better educated and critical
thinking workforce and public, ready to face future challenges.Read moreRead less
Black holes accreting at extreme rates . The release of gravitational energy as mass is dumped onto a black hole powers some of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe. This project aims to use a new X-ray telescope to find the most disruptive stellar-mass and supermassive black holes in the Universe, and characterise their outflows with some of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes. This research will answer fundamental questions identified by the astronomical community regarding how b ....Black holes accreting at extreme rates . The release of gravitational energy as mass is dumped onto a black hole powers some of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe. This project aims to use a new X-ray telescope to find the most disruptive stellar-mass and supermassive black holes in the Universe, and characterise their outflows with some of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes. This research will answer fundamental questions identified by the astronomical community regarding how black holes grow, how they generate powerful outflows, and how much energy they can deposit into the surrounding environment. It will forge strong links with international partners, strengthen Australian expertise in this high-impact area of science, and stimulate public outreach work.Read moreRead less
Unlocking the universe's high energy secrets with large scale neutrino detectors at the South Pole. Some of the most violent objects in the universe produce extremely energetic radiation in the form of particles, gamma-rays and neutrinos. Innovative observatories like IceCube, a cubic kilometre of instrumented ice at the South Pole, are being used to identify these astrophysical sources and the mechanisms that produce this extreme radiation.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE180100170
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$159,450.00
Summary
Contribution to the AugerPrime upgrade of the Pierre Auger observatory. This project will support basic research into the properties of the highest energy particles in our Universe by contributing to the upgrade of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory. A major detector upgrade (AugerPrime) is underway to enhance the sensitivity of the observatory for these high-energy cosmic rays. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays con ....Contribution to the AugerPrime upgrade of the Pierre Auger observatory. This project will support basic research into the properties of the highest energy particles in our Universe by contributing to the upgrade of the 3000 square kilometre Pierre Auger Observatory. A major detector upgrade (AugerPrime) is underway to enhance the sensitivity of the observatory for these high-energy cosmic rays. This follows an unexpected Auger result that indicates a significant fraction of these cosmic rays consist of heavy nuclei. AugerPrime will significantly improve the observatory's ability to identify the mass, and hence the charge, of the particles, allowing astrophysical source directions to be identified for the low charge particles which are less deflected by cosmic magnetic fields. The upgrade will also improve the understanding of particle physics at energies well beyond those explored at the Large Hadron Collider.Read moreRead less
A multi-messenger approach to understanding the high-energy Universe. Some of the most violent objects in the Universe produce extremely energetic radiation in the form of particles, gamma-rays and neutrinos. Innovative observatories like IceCube, a cubic kilometre of instrumented ice at the South Pole, are being used to identify these astrophysical sources and the mechanisms that produce this extreme radiation.
Understanding the nature and origin of the highest energy cosmic rays. This project aims to harness the capabilities of the upgraded Pierre Auger Observatory to identify sources of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. Their origin is one of the longest standing mysteries in astrophysics, but answers are now within reach. Expected outcomes of the project include mass estimates for every measured cosmic ray, and sky maps of cosmic ray arrival direct ....Understanding the nature and origin of the highest energy cosmic rays. This project aims to harness the capabilities of the upgraded Pierre Auger Observatory to identify sources of the highest energy cosmic rays, the most energetic particles known in the Universe. Their origin is one of the longest standing mysteries in astrophysics, but answers are now within reach. Expected outcomes of the project include mass estimates for every measured cosmic ray, and sky maps of cosmic ray arrival directions that take into account the cosmic ray charge, minimising the effects of path deflections by cosmic magnetic fields. These maps will reveal new information on the types of astrophysical objects capable of accelerating particles to extreme energies, a major step towards solving this difficult problem.Read moreRead less
Feeding the faintest black holes: the nature of low-luminosity accretion. The overwhelming majority of black holes are found in an extremely faint quiescent state. This project aims to improve understandings of this large population of black holes, determining the geometry of the inflowing gas, the source of the faint X-ray emission, and the fraction of energy pumped outwards in fast-moving jets. Building on recent ground-breaking results, this project aims to conduct a survey to detect a new po ....Feeding the faintest black holes: the nature of low-luminosity accretion. The overwhelming majority of black holes are found in an extremely faint quiescent state. This project aims to improve understandings of this large population of black holes, determining the geometry of the inflowing gas, the source of the faint X-ray emission, and the fraction of energy pumped outwards in fast-moving jets. Building on recent ground-breaking results, this project aims to conduct a survey to detect a new population of black holes in dense star clusters, providing new laboratories to explore accretion physics. It aims to measure the distances of the black holes and their motion through space, test evidence for the existence of event horizons, and provide new insights into how black holes form and how they affect their surroundings.Read moreRead less