Nonthermal processes in galactic sources: modelling and predictions in the CTAs and ASTRI Mini-Arrays eve

• Grant number: 19/05757-9
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2020 - June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Victoria Del Valle
• Grantee: Maria Victoria Del Valle
• Home Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Elisabete Maria de Gouveia Dal Pino
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/08729-3 - Nonthermal processes in Galactic sources: modelling and predictions in the CTAs and ASTRI Mini-Arrays eve, BP.JP

Abstract

In the last decades an era of large collaborations have begun with the aim of solving great questions in science related to cosmic-ray origins, neutrino physics, gravitational wave sources, dark matter nature, etc. In all these a fore mentioned fields gamma-ray astronomy plays a central role. A deep understanding and detailed modeling of the non thermal phenomenal a taking place in the sources is fundamental. This is especially important for cosmic rays, given the impossibility of a direct identification of their sources. In this project I aim to study non thermal processes in Galactic sources. The plan main objectives are: i) to study particle acceleration in the wind of massive high-velocity stars, ii) to model synchrotron polarization maps of a colliding-wind binary, iii) to investigate the ability of collective stellar-wind interactions to accelerate cosmic rays, iv) to model cosmic-ray interactions inside molecular clouds and v) to study acceleration of cosmic rays in high-velocity clouds. The project would provide detailed predictions as well as guiding for the interpretation of observational data for the next generation gamma-ray observatory: the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), and specially its precursor the ASTRI mini-array, which is supported in Brazil by the FAPESP thematic project 2013/10559-5, coordinated by Prof. Elisabete M. de Gouveia Dal Pino. Through the ASTRI mini-array project a fundamental research theme is rapidly evolving at IAG-USP and Brazil: Observational High-Energy Astrophysics. My expertise in gamma-ray astronomy through the execution of this research Grant will contribute to reinforce and expand this new field in IAG and Brazil and specially in the group of Prof. de Gouveia Dal Pino of High Energy and Plasma Astrophysics (GAPAE), as well as contributing to human-resource development. (AU)