RESEARCH |
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In the most general terms I am searching for the origin of cosmic rays. These are particles that hit the Earths atmosphere with energies orders of magnitude above those achieved in man-made accelerators. More than 100 years after their discovery their origin remains unclear and I am trying to add small pieces to the eventual solution to this puzzle.
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Gamma-ray astronomy is the research domain for which I spent most of my time and efforts. Different detection techniques are used to record the highest energies photons the universe is sending us: very high-energy gamma rays in the GeV to multi-TeV energy range. We are able to record the atmospheric air showers initiated by these particles in dark, moonless nights with the help of huge telescopes (cf. H.E.S.S. and CTAO) or detect the air shower particle with water Cherenkov tanks (cf. HAWC or SWGO).
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H.E.S.S.The H.E.S.S. array of imaging air Cherenkov telescopes is located on the Khomas highlands in Namibia. Its four original telescopes with their 12m diameter mirrors have been complemented by the largest optical telescope in the world: HESS-II with a diameter of 28m. |
CTAOThe CTA consortium is preparing the construction of the next generation imaging air Cherenkov telescope array. Build on two sites (one on each hemisphere) it will provide an surpass the sensitivity of current instruments like H.E.S.S. by roughly one order of magnitude! |
SGSO/SWGOThe High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory (HAWC) is using a complementary technique to monitor the high-energy gamma-ray sky: an array of large water tanks set up at a 4100m high plateau in Mexico. SGSO (now SWGO) will be a next-generation observatory employing similar techniques potentially at even higher altitudes. |
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Astronomy and astrophysics are currently undergoing several fundamental changes, such as the increasing relevance of observations of transients, i.e., short-lived astrophysical phenomena such as supernova explosions, fast radio bursts (FRBs), and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). At the same time, an increasing number of fundamentally new cosmic messengers provide crucial information about these objects. Today, the detection of high-energy neutrinos and gravitational waves (GWs) routinely supplement traditional astronomical observations in the electromagnetic spectrum.
In this context I have developed “Astro-COLIBRI”, a modern platform that will tackle the associated challenges, facilitate multi-messenger observations and involve the large community of amateur astronomers. |