Extreme Environment Astrophysics with H.E.S.S. Phase I 2007-2010
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
PPARC has supported for the past few years UK participation in the construction, commissioning and operation of a very high energy (VHE) gamma ray telescope in Namibia, South West Africa, called the H.E.S.S. array. The first 4 telescopes of the array began routine operations in January 2004, and are revealing to us a wealth of astronomical objects acting as huge particle accelerators - supermassive black holes in distant galaxies, supernova remnants and pulsars. UK astronomers are particularly interested in variability in such objects, particularly how active galaxies accelerate particles and in mini versions of these objects in our own galaxy known as microquasars, and in the mechanisms of particle acceleration in pulsars. We are also interested in the solution of one of the great puzzles of the last 100 years, which is the origin of the cosmic rays that bombard us all the time. It has long been suspected that they are produced in supernova remnants, and now we are beginning to find evidence that this might well be the case. However, the final pieces of the jigsaw need to come from more extensive VHE gamma ray observations and observations at other wavelengths. As well as analysing the data from the telescopes, UK scientists are responsible for some of the technical tasks that ensure the whole collaboration is able to get the scientific results from the telescopes. The Durham group is responsible for the calibration systems used with the telescopes in order to ensure that the achieve full sensitivity. Uniquely, in the case of VHE gamma ray telescopes, the atmosphere actually forms part of the detector, and so we have to understand the atmosphere and then use that information in computer simulations to calculate the energies of the incoming gamma rays. In addition, data often have to be corrected for atmospheric variations, so that these can be disentangled from variations in the gamma ray emission of the objects that we observe, which obviously has an important bearing on our scientfic interests. Dr. Jim Hinton at Leeds is responsible for parts of the electronic system and software that ensure the telescopes work properly together. This grant requests funding for two postdoctoral scientists to continue working on H.E.S.S. data and perform the important calibration tasks for the collaboration.
Organisations
- Durham University (Lead Research Organisation)
- DURHAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- University of Sheffield (Collaboration)
- University of Grenoble (Collaboration)
- North-West University (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) (Collaboration)
- Premier Oil (Collaboration)
- Observatory of Paris (Collaboration)
- National Astrophysics Laboratory (Collaboration)
Publications
Abdallah H
(2016)
Search for Dark Matter Annihilations towards the Inner Galactic Halo from 10 Years of Observations with H.E.S.S.
in Physical review letters
Abramowski A
(2015)
THE 2012 FLARE OF PG 1553+113 SEEN WITH H.E.S.S. AND FERMI -LAT
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abramowski A
(2014)
DISCOVERY OF THE HARD SPECTRUM VHE ?-RAY SOURCE HESS J1641-463
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abramowski A
(2013)
Search for photon-linelike signatures from dark matter annihilations with H.E.S.S.
in Physical review letters
Abramowski A
(2011)
Search for a dark matter annihilation signal from the galactic center halo with H.E.S.S.
in Physical review letters
Abramowski A
(2012)
SEARCH FOR DARK MATTER ANNIHILATION SIGNALS FROM THE FORNAX GALAXY CLUSTER WITH H.E.S.S.
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abramowski A
(2012)
THE 2010 VERY HIGH ENERGY ?-RAY FLARE AND 10 YEARS OF MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF M 87
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abramowski A
(2011)
H.E.S.S. constraints on dark matter annihilations towards the sculptor and carina dwarf galaxies
in Astroparticle Physics
Abramowski A
(2012)
Probing the extent of the non-thermal emission from the Vela X region at TeV energies with H.E.S.S.
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Abramowski A
(2014)
ERRATUM: "SEARCH FOR DARK MATTER ANNIHILATION SIGNALS FROM THE FORNAX GALAXY CLUSTER WITH H.E.S.S." (2012, ApJ, 750, 123)
in The Astrophysical Journal
Description | Many more gamma-ray sources than previously known were discovered. |
Exploitation Route | Finding led to the founding of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Consortium. |
Sectors | Education |
URL | https://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/hfm/HESS/ |
Description | Techniques we developed have been used in prototype carbon capture & storage monitoring system. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Description | FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES-2010-1 |
Amount | £45,539 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 04/2010 |
End | 07/2014 |
Description | Carbon Capture and Storage Project |
Organisation | Durham University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Design and prototyping of data acquisition and high voltage electronics; simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory facilities (Boulby), detector integration, light sensor testing and simulations (Sheffield), geological knowledge and liaison with oil industry (Earth Sciences, Durham) and mathematical underpinning (Bath) |
Impact | Multi-dsiciplinary - Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Carbon Capture and Storage Project |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Design and prototyping of data acquisition and high voltage electronics; simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory facilities (Boulby), detector integration, light sensor testing and simulations (Sheffield), geological knowledge and liaison with oil industry (Earth Sciences, Durham) and mathematical underpinning (Bath) |
Impact | Multi-dsiciplinary - Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Carbon Capture and Storage Project |
Organisation | Premier Oil |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Design and prototyping of data acquisition and high voltage electronics; simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory facilities (Boulby), detector integration, light sensor testing and simulations (Sheffield), geological knowledge and liaison with oil industry (Earth Sciences, Durham) and mathematical underpinning (Bath) |
Impact | Multi-dsiciplinary - Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Carbon Capture and Storage Project |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Department | Boulby Underground Science Facility |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Design and prototyping of data acquisition and high voltage electronics; simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory facilities (Boulby), detector integration, light sensor testing and simulations (Sheffield), geological knowledge and liaison with oil industry (Earth Sciences, Durham) and mathematical underpinning (Bath) |
Impact | Multi-dsiciplinary - Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Carbon Capture and Storage Project |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Design and prototyping of data acquisition and high voltage electronics; simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory facilities (Boulby), detector integration, light sensor testing and simulations (Sheffield), geological knowledge and liaison with oil industry (Earth Sciences, Durham) and mathematical underpinning (Bath) |
Impact | Multi-dsiciplinary - Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Carbon Capture and Storage Project |
Organisation | University of Sheffield |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Design and prototyping of data acquisition and high voltage electronics; simulations. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory facilities (Boulby), detector integration, light sensor testing and simulations (Sheffield), geological knowledge and liaison with oil industry (Earth Sciences, Durham) and mathematical underpinning (Bath) |
Impact | Multi-dsiciplinary - Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | FSRQ Task Force |
Organisation | Observatory of Paris |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise in Fermi, HESS and CTA. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in theory, Fermi, HESS and CTA. |
Impact | Grant application to CNRS |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | FSRQ Task Force |
Organisation | University of Grenoble |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise in Fermi, HESS and CTA. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in theory, Fermi, HESS and CTA. |
Impact | Grant application to CNRS |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Optical Polarimetric Observations - Brazil |
Organisation | National Astrophysics Laboratory |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Analysis and interpretation of VHE gamma ray data; interpretation of polarimetric data |
Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of data; long-term monitoring programme |
Impact | Paper produced |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Optical Polarimetric Observations - SAAO |
Organisation | North-West University |
Department | Unit for Space Physics |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Interpretation of polarimetric and VHE gamma-ray data |
Collaborator Contribution | Visiting student from South Africa; time on SAAO telescope. |
Impact | Observation programme with SAAO; student talk at NAM |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | ATMOHEAD 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | 50 attendees at workshop in Paris 10-12/6/13 about atmospheric effects on astroparticle physics experiments. Talks (3 with Durham authors) sparked questions and discussion. See https://indico.in2p3.fr/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=7898 Conference proceedings papers produced, available on ArXiV at http://uk.arxiv.org/abs/1403.2218, http://uk.arxiv.org/abs/1402.6884 and http://uk.arxiv.org/abs/1402.4739 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Cosmos and Culture Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | It is estimated that over 1 million people have attended the exhibition. A HESS mirror and a model of a Phase 1 telescope are now part of the national collection to be used for future exhibitions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
URL | http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/plan_your_visit/exhibitions/cosmos_and_culture.aspx |
Description | Durham Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 200 pupils attended an exhibit and talk/demonstration. Positive feedback from pupils and teachers. None that can be easily accessed specifically for our part of the ehibition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Epigeum PG Training Interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Interviewed about working in large collaborations for an online postgraduate training package. Online course - see http://researchskills.epigeum.com/courses/researchskills/index.php?course_id=295&user_id=0&s=hp067cqi6sp6q89qdfn0dmeod4 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | National Astronomy Meeting 2011 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | http://www.ras.org.uk/component/db/?report_id=1098 None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Sacred Heart School, Redcar - STEM Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Three talks given on what astronomers do and how to become one to classes of around 20 pupils on 13/2/14. Many questions resulted. None yet. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Seminar Southampton University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Around 30 students and academics attended a talk, with questions and discussion afterwards. Strengthenedties with Southampton. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Seminar at DESY, Zeuthen |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | 30 students, scientists and engineers attended a talk, which resulted in questions and discussion afterwards. None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Seminar at Oxford University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Seminar at Oxford University on 20/1/14 attended by around 50 people, with questions and discussion afterwards. None as yet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Talk at CTR Wilson Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/events/reports/2012-2013/CTRWilson_Conference.pdf An invitation to speak at an astronomical society in Scotland. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Talk at Durham Foundation Centre Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | About 30 people attended, many questions asked. Increase in applications to Physics with Foundation course |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Talk to Astrosoc |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk to Durham University Astronomical Society. Lots of questions, and a number of requests afterwards from students wanting to work with my group over summer. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Talk to Bishop Auckland Astrosoc |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 12 people attended a talk about gamma-ray astronomy, with questions and discussions afterwards None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Talk to Cleethorpes Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk given to around 30 people, resulting in discussion and questions. None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Talk to Cleveland & Darlington Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | About 40 people attended a talk, with much ensuing discussion. Some younger members of the audience asked for advice about applying to do physics & astronomy at university. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Talk to Cleveland and Darlington Astrosoc |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk about gamma ray astronomy on 13/12/13 attended by about 50 people, with questions and discussions afterwards. A number of young people asked about studying physics at university. None yet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Talk to Durham City Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 30 people attended a talk, which resulted in discussion and questions none |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Talk to Durham University Astrosoc |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Around 40 undergraduates attended a talk, resulting in questions and some interesdt in potential postgraduate studies None |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Talk to Hebden Bridge Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | About 30 people attended a talk, with much discussion afterwards. Was invited back! |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Talk to Highlands Astrosoc |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 80 people attended a talk about gamma-ray astronomy on 5/11/13, with questions and discussion afterwards. None yet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Talk to Newcastle Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | About 20 people attended a talk - many questions afterwards. Several people asked for weblinks to our research so they could follow progress. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Talk to Sunderland Astronomical Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 30 people attended with many questions resulting. None measurable. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Talk to Whitley Bay Rotary Club |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 50 people attended, with many questions resulting. None measurable |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Talk to York School Pupils |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 30 school pupils attended, with lots of questions. None measurable. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Talk, Goldsmiths Teachers' Course |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 40 teachers attended a talk, which provoked considerable interest and discussion. Contact was made with teachers interested in 'cosmic rays for schools' project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Talks at Kielder Observatory |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 30 people attended each talk, with much discussion afterwards. Was invited back! |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010 |
Description | Visit to Southmoor Academy Sunderland |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Lots of questions, some students asked specific questions about applying to university One of my undergraduate project students is returning to the school. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |