Local sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays

• Grant number: 17/21541-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Vitor de Souza Filho
• Grantee: Cainã de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/15897-1 - Cherenkov Telescope Array - CTA, AP.TEM

Abstract

The production of energetic particles in the Universe remains one of the great the mysteries of modern science. The mechanisms of particle acceleration in astrophysical sources are still unknown and recent results point to the need for a multi-messenger approach to solve this problem. In this project, we will explore the need for a local source of cosmic rays to describe the data measured by cosmic rays, neutrinos and gamma rays observatories. In recent years, precise measurements of the anisotropy of charged cosmic rays point to the need for local source. However, the neutral counterpart (neutrinos and gamma-rays), that could point to the source, has not been measured. This project focuses on theoretical models of high energy cosmic ray generation in local sources (Cen A) and on the propagation of the particles in the extragalactic medium. Special attention will be given to the production of gamma rays (GeV-TeV) that can be detected by the future CTA experiment. The work of this scientific initiation (IC) will be within the experimental efforts of the CTA and Pierre Auger Observatories. (AU)