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 with unique capabilities to observe very high energy gamma-rays. This award supports scientists at the University of Maryland College Park in their leadership roles in the operation of the observatory and in the scientific analysis of the HAWC data. The group will continue activities to optimize the sensitivity of the observatory and pursue scientific research on transient gamma-ray sources and newly discovered very high energy sources. This award will allow the group to continue and expand their outreach efforts, which include outreach to the Hispanic-American community with bi-lingual products related to HAWC.
With its large instantaneous field of view and continuous operations HAWC surveys two-thirds of the sky every day. The University of Maryland group will continue their study of transient sources with HAWC as part of a multi-messenger and multi-wavelength campaign. They will also continue their work producing maps and conducting surveys to reveal new high energy gamma-ray sources. In addition, they will continue to lead the effort to exploit the novel water Cherenkov detection technique to improve the sensitivity of HAWC.
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.
